5 Ways to Simplify Prior Authorizations & Streamline Your Mental Health Billing

Mental health practices' success depends on how well they manage their prior authorization processes. It's a crucial part of revenue cycle management, affecting a healthcare provider's and facility's bottom-line profitability.?

According to an AMA prior authorization physician survey, 2022 - physicians and their staff spend over two business days every week doing prior authorizations. Handing back these hours to doctors, allowing them to focus more on patient care, could boost results, ease administrative burdens, and strengthen relationships with payers.

Just take this easy step to make sure you grab every single dollar owed to you: get pre-approval from every payer that needs it.?

Let’s learn more…

Strategies to Streamline your Prior Authorization Process, at a Glance?

Your time and money can be saved when PA procedures are well-executed. Further, it boosts revenue, shortens reimbursement times, and minimizes data inaccuracies.?

Let’s dive into some key steps to streamline your mental health practice’s prior authorization process:?

1. Be familiar with insurance rules and procedures?

To effectively navigate the prior authorization procedure, it is critical to have a thorough awareness of insurance policies and rules. Moreover, it is critical to remain current on the most recent changes and requirements of various insurance companies.

2. Collect detailed patient information??

In the prior authorization procedure, it is essential to get full and accurate patient information. Gather and validate patient demographics, insurance coverage information, and medical records. Ensure that all required documentation, such as medical notes, test results, and treatment plans, is full and easily accessible. A well-organized patient information system will speed up the prior authorization procedure and increase chances of approval.

3.?Maintain strong communication channels??

A seamless pre-authorization procedure requires open and effective communication lines among healthcare professionals, insurance companies, and patients. Build excellent connections with physicians and their staff, since their assistance and involvement are critical in acquiring the necessary medical documentation.

4. Make use of technology and automation??

Adopting technology and automation solutions for your mental health billing can greatly speed up the process. Investigate electronic prior authorization (ePA) solutions that interface with insurer websites, making it easier to submit and track authorization requests.???

Make use of software that automates repetitive operations including confirming insurance coverage, checking for previous permission requirements, and creating authorization documents. These tools aid in reducing manual errors,?saving time, and increasing efficiency.??

5.?Enforce robust tracking and follow-up systems??

Maintaining an efficient tracking and follow-up system is critical in managing the prior authorization process. To manage permission requests, their progress, and any necessary follow-ups, create a centralized database or utilize specialized software.???

Implement reminders and escalation mechanisms to guarantee that pending authorizations are handled in a timely manner. Tracking systems that are effective eliminate missed deadlines, decrease delays, and allow for proactive action when necessary.

Prior Authorizations: Why to Use Outsourcing Services?

Outsourcing pre authorization process work in the healthcare business, which includes medical practices, providers, hospitals, and surgery centers, can give a number of benefits. Here are some significant advantages that include

• Reduce operational costs for your mental healthcare organizations.
• Streamline your operations and focus on delivering patient care.
• Access to professionals with extensive experience in handling prior authorizations.
• Better cash flow by reducing claim denials and improving the rate of successful claims submission.
• Transfers the administrative burden to external professionals, freeing up your internal resources for more critical tasks.
• Ensure compliance with these regulations and minimize the risk of penalties or legal issues associated with non-compliance.
• Handle higher volumes efficiently and accommodate changes in requirements, such as new insurance plans or updated guidelines.

In Conclusion

Many mental health physicians and administrative staff?are discovering that the long pre-authorization procedure reduces their productivity and turnaround times for care.

Outsourcing the pre-authorization procedure is one option for relieving your stress.

With Aegis Healthcare Solutions, you don't have to commit more time and resources to insurance authorization.

Get your Prior Authorization process streamlined and see the difference it makes.

Talk to our Certified Billing Experts today !