In our new weekly blog series, "Your Billing Company & You," we’ll be framing the relationship between providers and billing companies as just that…a relationship. We all have experiences in relationships, whether with friends, family, or romantic partners. Thinking of being in a relationship with your billing company is a useful exercise that can help you see them in a new light. This is relevant to all providers, whether you’re thinking of signing with a new company, maintaining your relationship with your current billing company, or considering “breaking up” and moving on to something new. Regardless of where you're at in your relationship, we’ll have some useful information for you!
Think of a billing company like a flesh and blood employee. With offsite vendors like billing companies, it’s sometimes easy to forget they’re working with and for you full-time; not to mention that they manage your organization's lifeblood, insurance revenue.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when thinking of hiring a new billing company, or even if you’re currently with a biller you like but aren't certain will be the right fit for your future goals.
Would I Want To Have This Person In My Office Every Day?
Consider this from a cultural fit perspective. If you’re interviewing someone at a billing company, is this the kind of person you would trust having in your office every day? Do they fit the working style of employees based in your actual office, and would they complement the overall vibe and team culture of your organization?
Do I Trust This Person With My Organization's Revenue?
This is probably something you’re already thinking about when considering hiring a new billing company. But try not to see billing companies as "set it and forget it" solutions that you hire, send attendance to week-in and week-out, and recieve money from 30 days later. These are actual people who are out there working on your behalf; so with that in mind, think of them more like remote employees. If they’re the type of folks you’d like having on your team, then great! But if they're not, it just might not be the right fit for anyone involved.
If The Tables Were Turned, Would I Work With This Person?
Think of yourself from the perspective of someone seeking a job, even if you run your own behavioral health treatment organization. Would you want to work for the managers at the billing company? Putting yourself in their shoes can provide a little more perspective on how they run their business and what you can expect if you decide to work with them.
The Main Takeaway
Ultimately, trust your instincts! If you’re experiencing personality clashes with the folks you’re talking to from the very beginning, that's most likely not going to change over time. To bring it back to the relationship metaphor, feeling that initial spark is a great indicator of compatibility going forward.
Check out "6 Questions You Should Be Asking Your Billing Company," a webinar created by Chris Reilly, Kenneth Throop, and Kaity McCraw from our Implementations team to learn more about you and your billing company can work together to achieve success.
Further Reading:
- 3 Ways Electronic VOB & Eligibility Saves Money & Time By Finding The Right Fit
- 3 Key Enrollment Facts To Help Free Your Trapped Revenue
- Aspen Ridge & Avea: Sharing A Vision
