Medical billing is the process of recording and submitting charges for services rendered by a physician or other health care provider to an insurance company, or other third-party payors. Here are a few facts you may not know about medical billing.
• Most people don’t realize that there are two types of medical billing-the “paper bill” and the “electronic bill.
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Paper bills are mailed directly from the doctor’s office to your insurer. Electronic invoices on the other hand are sent via email or fax from the doctor’s office.
• Both paper and electronic bills can be submitted in different formats. Some doctors use a standard format where each line item has its code. Others have their own proprietary coding system.
• If you receive a paper bill, it will usually include all the information necessary to submit a claim electronically. If you receive an electronic bill, save it before opening it because the information on the back of the bill will tell you how to submit the claim online.
• Many insurers now require you to complete an authorization form before receiving any bill. This is typically done through the mail and requires a signature.
