Claims Management
The Clearing Service won't let you down
Invoicing through Healthcode guarantees results says Pete Crutchley, the boss of Medical Healthcare Management (MHM). Find out how Pete has used the Clearing service to create a thriving business for himself – and his clients.
What they needed
An expert in business process and cash flow management in the commercial sector, Pete set up MHM in 2010 after coming to the rescue of a consultant who had a busy private medical practice but was struggling to make any money. The business is now in its sixteenth year and has gone from strength to strength, thanks to Pete’s reputation for efficiency, service and accuracy.
Although Pete has consciously reduced his workload in recent years, MHM currently has 12 consultants on his books and his expertise is much in demand. He regularly gives presentations to groups of doctors who want to set up their own private practice on how to master their invoice admin.
His advice is to master the basics which starts with invoicing. “I always say: invoice right, get paid right. Insurance companies are not the ‘enemy’ – they will pay you promptly if you invoice correctly.”
Why Healthcode?
Pete's convinced that the Clearing service is the perfect way to create and securely submit electronic invoices to insurers on behalf of his clients. “The simple reason I use Healthcode is because it works,” he continues. “When I submit invoices, I can guarantee they will be delivered because the system is reliable and accurate. The fact that it is also really quick is a bonus but the reliability and accuracy are non-negotiable.” He’s pleased that his own commitment to clients is echoed by Healthcode's service standards: “I can’t remember the last time I had to contact Healthcode which shows that it works. That’s the most important thing in my world.”
Pete recommends the Clearing service whenever he meets practitioners who are just getting started in private practice. “It enables you to take control of the invoice process as you build your practice and ensure you get paid,” he explains. “Then you’ll soon be ready to upgrade to Healthcode’s ePractice practice management software which has all the tools you need to manage your growing business and stay on top of your numbers.”
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Key features
Invoices are quick, easy to create and simple to submit with the Clearing service and automatically checked against insurers' validation criteria. If it detects that information is missing or incorrect, the user is prompted to take action although Pete rarely encounters any problems. “I have the option to use Healthcode’s Find Member feature if the insurance details are missing or incorrect which is much easier than playing ‘email table tennis’ with people. However, I’m rigid in my demand for the correct data up front from my clients,” he says.
Impact on their business
“One of my consultants treated eleven patients at his clinic yesterday evening which was worth more than £5,300. His secretary sent me his clinic list with the necessary data this morning and it was all done within an hour and it would have been even quicker but for a missing policy number. When I checked less than an hour later, they had all been verified and were awaiting collection. Pete works from his offices in Wolverhampton but he says one of the other big benefits of the solution is its accessibility, enabling him to attend to his clients’ needs wherever he may be. “I was in Yorkshire on a camping holiday recently when I had a call from a client. The dog thought I was mad but I was able to log on from my laptop and answer his question,” he laughs. “That wouldn’t have been possible when I started but it’s the reality of medical billing today.” Overall, using the Clearing service means Pete can be certain that he will not let his clients down.
The way I run my businesses is that if I shake hands on something, I will deliver and Healthcode gives me that guarantee.
Pete Crutchley, Medical Healthcare Management (MHM)