- 2025 code changes: What doctors of optometry need to know
- Introducing the new CMS G2211 code
- Coordination of benefits 3 takeaways for optometric billing practices
- Clearing up modifier confusion
- Payor Downcoding: What Is It and What Should You Do About It
- New noteworthy optometry codes
- Modifier -25: How to use it appropriately and avoid costly penalties
- 3 coding questions cracked
- CPT codes deleted in 2023—do you know what codes may be billed to replace them?
- Why Proper Documentation Is Vital
- Common coding questions answered
- How and when to code for social determinants of health
- Most asked coding questions: dilation
- What does COVID-19 PHE ending mean for telemedicine
- 2 points to keep in mind when patients decline dilation
- social determinants of health
- Can a doctor of optometry bill Medicare for a comprehensive eye exam and a procedure on the same day
- The future of audio-only reimbursement
- Coding conundrums solved
- 7 takeaways from the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
- Virtual check-in codes
- What your colleagues are asking about coding
- CMS releases 2023 Medicare PFS proposed rule
- Merit-based Incentive Payment System: What doctors should know
- Ask the coding experts
- Merit-based Incentive Payment System quality measures
- Coding for presbyopia eye drops
- Coding and contact lens safety
- CMS 2022 Medicare PFS decreases conversion factor sets new policy goals
- CMS releases information on Part B claims-based quality measure scoring for 2021
- Updated ICD-10 codes take effect October 1
- If it sounds too good to be true
- New EM codes
- What to do when a coding decision is made incorrectly
- 4 coding changes now in effect
- changes in 2021 to coding and documentation for evaluation and management services.
- AOA HPI provides coding benchmark data
- Appropriate use of modifier 25
- Changes on the horizon for evaluation and management services
- AOA Coding Experts gain AMA CPT appointments
- 2020 PFS changes for optometry
- 2020 updates to the ICD-10 code set
- Medicares virtual check-in codes
- The importance of accurate coding and contact lens safety
- coding for cognitive development test
- Medicare evaluation and management documentation and billing
- Coding and audits
- 5 coding queries cracked
- appropriate diagnosis code reporting
- Diagnostic code changes
- 4 coding conundrums clarified
- Where coding and coverage intersect
- Changes on the horizon for evaluation and management documentation and reimbursement
- Global period data collection and possible future changes
- New ICD-10 codes effective
- July-Aug17_Coding Q&As
- The ICD 10 code development process
- coding experts-billing for post-cataract glasses
- accurate coding for public health
- July Aug 2017 Coding Experts
- September Coding Experts
- CMS data collection on postoperative visits
- 3 solutions to common coding problems
- 3 coding changes doctors need to know
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- New diabetes related diagnosis codes
- Get answers to your coding questions
- New ICD10 codes doctors need to know
- Be aware of changes for 2017 and beyond
- Common coding Qs answered
- Coverage indications limitations and medical necessity
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- Access online coding resource for AOA members
- What is the future of CPT coding
- CMS makes changes in how doctors revalidate Medicare enrollment information
- 5 coding changes and clarifications doctors need to know
- More ICD 10 coding Q&As
- Doctors of optometry could see a rise in labor costs under new federal overtime rule
- 4 tips for growing your practice
- HHS unveils proposed rule for new Quality Payment Program
- Ask the Coding Experts Comparative billing reports raise questions on glaucoma patient treatment and coding
- Ask the Coding Experts Modifier 24 and 25 usage
- ICD-10 coding QandAs October
- Ask the Coding Experts Chronic care management services
- ICD 10 transition So far so good
- CMS comparative billing reports What you need to know
- Ready resources for the ICD 10 rollout
- Coding Q&As
- Modifiers for distinct procedural services
- Get a refresher on your public Open Payments data
- Final countdown Get answers to your ICD-10 coding questions
- AOA clarifies meaningful use rule on electronic order entry
- More ICD 10 coding QandAs
- Vision therapy coding
- Medicare claims and requests for additional documentation
- Coding QnAs May
- Referring ordering and form 8550
- Reporting code 92250
- One-year Medicare payment fix extends ICD-10 deadline
Online payment option makes cents
February 24, 2015
Benefits of online bill pay
Are optometric practices taking a 21st-century approach to payments, or are mailed bills still modus operandi for getting paid
Convenience is the calling card of this day-and-age, and practitioners who leverage technology to provide patients with efficient options—especially in how patients pay—are the ones who set themselves apart.
According to a 2013 Western Union survey of U.S. consumers, more than 46% of bills are paid online compared to only 20% via mail and 5% over the phone. That survey also found 39% of respondents resolved to pay more bills online.
"If you are continuing to use that paper statement and expect the same result, you might be fighting an uphill battle," said CardChoice International CEO Ray McGrogan in a webinar from AOAExcel™ Endorsed Business Partner Compliancy Group, LLC.
Where's the payoff?
Implementing this passive manner of collecting payments allows patients to take care of a bill 24 hours a day with no staff involvement required; payments are there waiting for you when you come into the office, McGrogan said. And better yet, online bill pay can translate into cost savings over traditional mailed statements just in terms of envelopes and stamps.
To establish a benchmark for how much paper statements ultimately cost the practice each billing cycle, factor in:
- How many paper statements are sent each month?
- What is the cost to generate statements in staff time, resources, printing and postage?
- What is your average receivable per cycle?
To set up online bill pay, consult with your credit card processor and your website vendor to establish a secure, online payment portal on the practice website. Practices can also utilize independent patient pay portal services.
Tips to promote online payment portal
Once the practice's online payment portal is established, it's time to get patients onboard. Here are three suggestions to easily prompt patients toward online bill pay:
- Place a message on mailed billing statements. Publicize your office's online payment portal on billing statements or paperwork provided to patients. Use phrases such as "for your convenience" or buzzwords like "quick, easy, secure and simple" to catch patients' eyes and direct them toward your website.
- Appeal to patients' green side. Use signs around the front desk that explain how the office is trying to "reduce its footprint" or "has gone green," and patients are encouraged to visit the practice's website for a secure payment option.
- Emphasize how digital offerings boost patient choice. According to a poll by TechnologyAdvice, 60% of respondents said online appointment scheduling and bill pay were important in their choice of doctors, and digital services were especially in demand with patients between 25 and 34 years of age. Promote online bill pay as a digital service that sets your practice apart from others.