Understanding Encounters and Claims in Healthcare
In the healthcare system, it is important to understand the two processes of encounters and Claims. An encounter is the actual provision of services to the patient. Claims are requests for reimbursement from healthcare providers for providing a service to a patient. This blog will explore the importance of documenting detailed encounters to support the claims submission and how they affect the healthcare system.
We will also discuss the various ways you, as the provider, can ensure that all encounters and claims are accurate and within the guidelines of the system. Finally, we will discuss how to streamline these processes in order to maximize efficiency and cost savings. By the end of this blog, you will have a better understanding of how encounters and claims work within the healthcare system. Let’s get started!
What are Encounters in Healthcare?
Encounters in healthcare refer to the provision of services to a patient. These services may include clinical or medical assessments, examinations, creation of treatment plans and procedures. During each encounter, the provider and support staff must accurately document the patient’s services to ensure that the level of service is documented accurately and the duration of the time spent with the patient is captured correctly for proper coding to be applied to the claim.”
Encounters are typically recorded in EHR practice management software as it allows providers to quickly and easily document all encounters, ensuring that all claims are accurate, complete, and filed with the payer source timely. With this software, providers can also monitor their patient’s progress, adjust treatment plans accordingly and make sure that follow-up services are scheduled and provided.
What are Claims in Healthcare?
Healthcare claims refer to reimbursement requests from providers for providing a service to a patient. These requests are sent to the insurance company or payer source, which evaluates the claim and then determines whether or not it should be paid. Claims are typically submitted electronically using billing software or through a payer portal. Paper claims are becoming obsolete.
Each claim submitted must include accurate and complete information about the service provided, including the patient’s name, date of service, diagnosis code, and procedure code. Each payer source may have different requirements, so when credentialing with a payer is done, the fee schedule is negotiated or provided that must be followed. This information is used to determine the amount of reimbursement that should be provided for the claim. It is important to ensure that all claims are accurate, as detailed as required, with no missing information, and submitted timely to receive the correct reimbursement.
How Do Claims and Encounters Work Together?
Claims and encounters are closely related in the healthcare system. Without accurate and complete claims, providers will not receive reimbursement for the services they provide. And without accurate and complete encounters, it is difficult to submit the correct claims. Therefore, it is important to ensure that both claims and encounters are accurate and complete.
At AZZLY®, our goal is to help make sure your claims and encounters are accurate and complete. We designed all-in-one encounters, billing, and claims solutions to speed up this process. We provide extensive training and support to providers to make sure that detailed documentation is recorded and saved in real time and that the billing staff is properly trained on how to use the auto claims functionality in AZZLY Rize™. This frees up the billing staff to become “reviewers not doers” so they can stay on top of any accounts receivables or payer denials. With our software, you streamline the process of claims and encounters in order to save time and money.
5 Ways to Ensure Accurate Claims and Encounters
- Utilize EHR practice management software: This is one of the best ways for providers to streamline their documentation and ensure that all claims and encounters are accurate and complete. Having it all in one place makes a big difference.
- Review patient information regularly: It is important to review each patient chart for completion of notes. Having a built-in tool to track unfinalized and finalized notes allows supervisors to view daily how the staff is managing their patient load.
- Double-check important information: Before submitting any claims or encounters, it is crucial to see a visual of alerts to know what is ready or not for claims submission. Seeing this on one screen is a big time saver.
- Create detailed notes of each encounter: Keep the language clear and detailed to support the level of severity and care provided.
- Follow up on any discrepancies: If there are any discrepancies in the claims or encounters, it is important to follow up timely for the resubmission of claims.
To Sum It Up
We hope this blog has helped you better understand the critical relationship between encounters and claims in healthcare. It is important to ensure that both claims and encounters are accurate and complete in order to receive the correct reimbursement. Using EHR practice management software and following the steps outlined above can help providers streamline the encounters and claims process.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about AZZLY’s EHR and Practice Management software, please contact us at hello@azzly.com or 1 (888) 400-3201. Our team of experts is available to help you get started with AZZLY today! You can also schedule a time to speak with your Regional Account Manager here. Thanks for reading.
