Integrated imaging. (Practice Management Clinic).

If you are frustrated with your inability to appeal denials or to file secondary claims, you should spend some time with your billing staff and learn how difficult it is to keep track of the explanation of benefits (EOB) statements that pour into the office every day. These statements are not patient-specific. Consequently, if and when there is time to go back and file an appeal or secondary claim, your billing clerk or billing company must first locate the EOB to accurately refile.

Integrated imaging software links each EOB to the corresponding patient and scans it into your system. Then when an appeal or secondary claim is necessary, a time-intensive and frustrating search for the EOB is not required. Instead, the EOB appears right on the screen (figure).

To survive, you must take advantage of technology rather than hire more employees.

Dr. Isenberg is an otolaryngologist in private practice in Indianapolis; [e-mail]