Over the next two weeks I plan to discuss a framework for thinking through whether outsourced medical billing is the right decision for you. Although I am focusing on outsourced medical billing, the basic concepts apply to any outsourcing decision. Today I will outline the main benefits to consider when making the decision about medical billing outsourcing and the most typical concerns and risks associated with the decision to outsource medical billing.  Over the following days I will discuss each element in more detail.

The fundamental principal behind outsourcing is the focus on core competencies. The idea is that you and your practice are geared towards treating patients, not fighting insurance companies and pursuing personal balances. On the other hand, medical billing services focus on medical billing and should have the scale, focus and employees to do a better job than most medical practices or medical facilities. The primary benefits that a medical practice should see from the right medical billing service are:

1. Medical Billing Services have more scale to purchase and deploy the technologies required to properly submit claims, battle with insurance companies and collect personal balances.
2. Outsourced medical billing companies are able to attract a higher caliber of medical billing specialists and retain these individuals.
3. Medical billing services have a deeper bench of employees and this provides a layer of protection for your practice by decoupling you from the risk associated with losing a key (if not the key) billing employee.
4. Medical billing companies are better positioned to properly utilize the technology they have.
5. A medical billing company has a broader scope than any single medical practice or facility. This allows them to see patterns across practices, specialties, states and payers that can add money to your medical practice's bottom line.

The typical concerns that physicians and practice managers have when deciding whether they want to outsource medical billing are:

1. Will a medical billing company fight as hard for me with insurance companies as my own employees?
2. Can medical billing companies handle the unique elements of my practice?
3. Will I lose control and visibility into how my accounts are being worked?
4. Will medical billing outsourcing alienating my patients through heavy handed collection practices?
5. Will medical billing services only go after the low hanging fruit, and leave the more difficult money uncollected?

Over the upcoming two weeks I will go into more depth on each of the benefits and concerns outlined above. I will go ahead and give you a peek at the final chapter. The trick is finding the right medical billing company. Once you have a medical billing service with a proven track record you will be able to see substantial improvements in your medical billing, have a more attractive bottom line and have more time and energy for your patients, growing your practice and - heaven forbid - a life outside the office. If you cannot wait to hear more, then please visit Medical Billing Services Buying Guide to purchase a copy of our buying guide or a report card on medical billing services that you are considering.