How to Overcome the HME Billing Staffing Shortage with Expert Support

The home medical equipment (HME) billing was never easy and with time the intricacies within the same are constantly increasing. While the industry is growing at a rapid pace, it is no secret that it’s dealing with consistent staffing shortages. The skilled labor crisis is real, and HME providers are having a tough time fighting it. On the one hand, rapid technological advancements are making the care process more accessible to patients while ensuring care quality and increasing demand for HME. On the other hand, providers like you are crushed under the increased administrative responsibilities, and elevated requirements in HME billing and coding services. ??

To make matters worse, minimum wages have increased across 21 states in the recent past. As a result, recruiting and retaining new billing personnel has become a concern for most of the providers. ??

Understanding Staffing Shortages??

A report by the American Hospital Association expected a shortage of 100,000 critical healthcare workers by the end of 2028. On the other hand, 13 states are expecting a severe shortage of nursing assistants. These statistics indicate a huge talent gap in the care process. It is evident that it will increase pressure on the existing teams across various facilities to manage revenue. ???

Another study suggested that most medical professionals are looking for a job switch or an opportunity to leave the industry. Along with this, the evolving regulatory and coding requirements make it tougher for HME providers to maintain accuracy within the billing and revenue cycle management process. ???

When billing departments are understaffed, the ripple effect of the same can be witnessed across the organization. There will be increased errors, heightened claim denials, and substantial revenue loss. ???

The Case of HME Billing Outsourcing??

Outsourcing your HME billing services can eliminate the ailments of your revenue cycle. By partnering with a reliable company with a dedicated team of experts, you can have access to industry-comprehensive technology and practices that can optimize your revenue. ???

Here are some of the benefits of partnering with a reliable revenue cycle management company-???

Expertise and experience: A team of trained medical billers and coders is well-versed in industry-specific guidelines and claim submission requirements. This reduces errors in your HME billing and coding inducing efficiency and productivity within the process. ??

Proactive denial management: The team of experts understands the underlying causes of claim denials and knows the exact strategies to work on them to obtain accurate reimbursements. Therefore, there is an improved cash flow in your practice. ???

Regulatory compliance: An outsourced HME billing company maintains HIPAA-HITECH compliance along with other regulatory and coding compliance to safeguard you from audits, penalties, and fines. ???

Improved care: With a team handling the financial aspects of your practice, you can focus on your core competencies, that is quality patient care. This will eventually lead to improved patient health outcomes and patient satisfaction. ???

Final Thoughts??

While the demand for HME is increasing, staffing shortages within the industry require more than temporary fixes. Outsourcing HME billing is not a novel approach. However, it is essential to understand your practice requirements when it comes to partnering with a third-party organization. Look for an RCM organization that has commendable references with a strong industry presence that can instill growth in your practice in the long run. ??