Increase Your Office Efficiency with these Add-On Features

Teresa Johnson • November 5, 2017
Medical Billing

Greetings!   Bonnie Flom from Billing Buddies spent Saturday, November 4th in Irvine, CA at an Office Ally Conference to learn about the newest features (and old features) that can optimize and expedite the cash flow of an office AND save many hours of time.  Below are some add-on products that are integrated in Office Ally as well as a Sample Policy & Procedure manual for your clinic to incorporate these features.   Don’t use Office Ally?  Use this article as a spring board to see what your own software has to offer.  Or, to contemplate the switchover to Office Ally.

If your office uses Billing Buddies for billing services or you have questions on how to implement these time saving features into your practice, please feel free to contact Bonnie directly at 952-657-7505 to implement any of these features.   Billing Buddies does not profit in any of the features listed below.   Our interest is to help our clients become more efficient and save money making the most out of technology.

Add-On Features:

1)  Reminder Mate –    Patient Reminders integrates with the appointment schedule to send appointment reminders to your patients via text, call or email.  Reduce your missed appointments and increase your revenue.

2)  Patient Ally –   Patient Portal allows your patients to complete and fill out their paperwork BEFORE they come into the office.  The paperwork is then saved directly into Office Ally.  (Patient Information Form, HIPAA ‘Forms, Credit Card Authorization Form, Consent to Treat Forms, etc.)

3) Intake Pro Your patient didn’t fill out the paperwork at home?  No problem.  This feature gives the office iPads for the patients to complete their forms on iPads and integrate and upload into Office Ally.  No need to enter patient data into Manage Patient anymore.

4) 24/7 EHR Office Ally’s EHR software, 24/7, allows providers to easily document the patients medical records.  It also integrates with the billing process and sends the charges into the billing system, Practice Mate.

5)  AxiaMed Accept, store, process and integrate credit card payments in Office Ally.  You can setup automatic payments via payment plans and have patients pay via their statement all online.  As well as process credit cards in house.  No more waiting for patient checks to arrive via snail mail.

6)  PLD Electronic statements integrate with Office Ally via the service of PLD.  No more printing, stuffing and stamping statements.

7)  TSI TSI is the designated collection agency with Office Ally.  (Transworld Systems Inc.) You can send your accounts to them with the click of a button and all the payments post report back to the collection agency automatically.  TSI offers three types of services ranging from pre-collection to collection work .

Finally, how would your office work if you integrated all of these features into your daily work flow?   Receive a copy of our Sample Policy and Procedure Manual by emailing bonnie@billingbuddies.com.   And, if you are a Billing Buddies client and want to utilize any of these features or have us assist in creating your very own Policy and Procedure Manual, please contact Bonnie directly at 952-657-7505.  Thank you and as always, make it an awesome day.

This message is brought to you by: Billing Buddies, a medical billing agency that was established in 1994.  We bring quick tips and tricks to health care providers at no cost. Our goal is to keep providers informed so they are better able to serve their clients. If you ever have any billing questions or are in need of a billing agency, please call or text us at 612.432.2366.   Our packages deals are very cost effective and all of our staff are certified through AMBA.

By Teresa Johnson August 29, 2025
Obstetrics and gynecology practices provide a wide range of essential healthcare services, but billing for these services is often more complicated than it looks. Unlike other specialties, Ob/Gyn billing involves bundled maternity care, preventive screenings, and complex surgical procedures, all of which have their own coding requirements. Even a small error in billing can delay payments, cause claim denials, and place unnecessary pressure on staff. Specialized Ob/Gyn billing solutions help practices reduce these risks by bringing structure, accuracy, and consistency into the financial side of care. Why Ob/Gyn Billing Requires Specialized Expertise? Ob/Gyn billing is not the same as general medical billing. It includes a wide range of services, from routine exams to complex surgical procedures, each with its own coding and payer rules. For example: Maternity care is billed globally, which means prenatal visits, delivery, and postpartum care are grouped into one billing cycle. Errors in bundling can cause significant payment delays. Preventive services such as Pap smears or annual screenings are covered differently by various insurers, making accuracy essential. Procedural care such as hysterectomies, infertility treatments, or laparoscopic surgeries requires in-depth coding knowledge to ensure proper reimbursement. Because Ob/Gyn practices balance preventive, surgical, and bundled maternity services, billing without specialized knowledge creates a high risk of underpayment and revenue leakage. The Importance of Accurate Coding in Women’s Health Services Coding is the foundation of every billing process. In Ob/Gyn practices, it requires particular care because services often overlap. For example, a provider might deliver a baby via C-section while also addressing a medical complication. If coding does not reflect the full scope of care, reimbursements will be incomplete. Accurate coding also ensures compliance. Insurance companies and government payers audit claims regularly, and incorrect coding can result in penalties or rejected claims. Practices that stay on top of CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS coding updates protect themselves from both financial loss and compliance risks. Reliable Ob/Gyn billing solutions give practices the confidence that services are coded correctly, every time. Common Insurance Reimbursement Obstacles Insurance reimbursement in Ob/Gyn practices often creates frustration. Payers may reject claims for contraceptive procedures, delay reimbursements for infertility treatments, or require extensive pre-authorization for certain diagnostics. Practices that do not have systems in place to track these claims can spend months appealing or resubmitting paperwork. Frequent obstacles include Claims denied for contraceptive procedures due to payer-specific restrictions Incorrect bundling of maternity services, leading to partial payments Denials for infertility or preventive screenings depending on coverage plans The growing need for pre-authorizations that delay claim submissions Inconsistent rules for coverage of diagnostic versus preventive care Without specialized support, providers often end up writing off these denials as losses. A strong Ob/Gyn billing solution focuses on proactive claim monitoring, payer communication, and timely appeals to ensure reimbursements are not lost in the shuffle. Benefits of Streamlined Billing Workflows A well-structured billing process saves time, reduces errors, and creates a steady revenue cycle. Practices that invest in automation and integrated billing software find that their claims are processed faster, with fewer rejections. Electronic health record (EHR) systems linked to billing platforms also make it easier to keep patient data accurate and claims consistent. The result is more than just financial efficiency. Streamlined workflows reduce the administrative burden on staff, leaving more room for patient interaction and quality care. They also build trust with patients, since billing becomes clearer and less prone to unexpected errors. In today’s healthcare environment, efficiency in billing is as important as clinical care in maintaining a successful practice. How Billing Buddies Brings Value to Ob/Gyn Practices? Billing Buddies provides Ob/Gyn billing solutions designed to address the exact needs of women’s health providers. Their team has extensive experience with global maternity billing, surgical coding, and preventive care claims, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Beyond coding, Billing Buddies also focuses on denial management, compliance monitoring, and revenue cycle reporting. Practices that partner with Billing Buddies gain both advanced technology and the support of experienced billing professionals who understand how to navigate payer requirements. This combination allows Ob/Gyn practices to protect revenue, reduce delays, and improve their overall financial health. Simplifying Billing for Ob/Gyn Practices with Billing Buddies Billing in obstetrics and gynecology is complex, but it does not have to hold back a practice. With accurate coding, efficient workflows, and the right support team, providers can avoid costly mistakes and keep reimbursements flowing steadily. Billing Buddies is committed to helping practices achieve this through expert solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our specialized Ob/Gyn insurance billing services and take control of your revenue cycle.
By Teresa Johnson August 29, 2025
Psychologists enter the field to help people manage their mental health, not to wrestle with administrative red tape. Yet one of the most significant hurdles a practice faces is credentialing. Without proper credentialing, providers are locked out of insurance networks, reimbursement gets delayed, and patient access is restricted. What should be a straightforward process often turns into a time-consuming challenge. This is where psychology credentialing solutions step in, offering structured support that helps practices focus on care instead of paperwork. Why Credentialing Matters for Psychologists? Credentialing is the process that confirms a provider’s qualifications and allows them to join insurance panels. For psychology practices, this process ensures three critical things: Patients with insurance can access care Practices receive timely and accurate reimbursements Providers establish trust and credibility with both patients and payers When credentialing is in place, psychologists expand their reach and position their practices for long-term success. The Common Barriers in the Credentialing Process While credentialing is essential, psychologists often find the process overwhelming. Insurers ask for large amounts of documentation, each with slightly different requirements. Errors, even minor ones, can push approvals back for months. Recredentialing adds another layer of stress, as providers must repeat the cycle every few years. These barriers are frustrating, especially for solo practitioners or small groups who lack dedicated administrative staff. Steps Involved in Credentialing At a glance, credentialing seems like a sequence of steps. In practice, each stage comes with its own challenges: Collecting documents such as licenses, degrees, malpractice insurance, and work history Completing payer-specific applications Submitting information for verification Responding to follow-ups or corrections Monitoring applications until final approval The steps themselves are clear, but managing them across several payers at once quickly becomes a drain on time and energy. How Credentialing Affects Practice Growth? The state of a provider’s credentialing has a direct impact on revenue and patient volume. A psychologist who is not credentialed will miss out on insured patients, limiting growth. Even worse, delayed or denied applications can lead to months without reimbursements. Conversely, a well-managed credentialing process allows practices to scale, build financial stability, and strengthen their reputation in the community. Professional Psychology Credentialing Solutions Outsourcing credentialing is not about giving up control — it is about gaining support. Credentialing specialists know payer requirements inside and out, which means fewer mistakes and faster turnaround. With professional help, psychologists benefit from: Accurate applications that reduce denials Systematic tracking of credentialing status Alerts for recredentialing deadlines Freedom to spend more time with patients instead of paperwork These solutions turn a draining task into a smooth process that supports practice growth. Billing Buddies and Their Mental Health Credentialing Services Billing Buddies offers tailored support for mental health professionals, including psychologists. Their mental health credentialing services cover the full scope of the process, from preparing documents to managing renewals. With their experience, providers no longer face endless back-and-forth with insurers. Instead, they gain peace of mind, compliance, and stronger financial stability. Billing Buddies ensures credentialing is handled correctly, so practices can keep their focus where it belongs, on patient care. Technology’s Role in Streamlining Credentialing Technology now complements human expertise in credentialing. Secure online systems store documents, track application progress, and send reminders before deadlines. These tools reduce manual errors and bring greater transparency. When paired with professional oversight, technology-driven credentialing becomes both faster and more reliable. Simplify Credentialing and Strengthen Your Psychology Practice Credentialing may feel like an obstacle, but with the right support it becomes the foundation of a thriving practice. Psychologists who partner with Billing Buddies gain efficient, accurate, and stress-free credentialing through dedicated mental health credentialing services . By removing administrative barriers, providers can expand patient access, protect revenue, and build lasting stability. Hence, reach out to Billing Buddies today to simplify credentialing and refocus on patient care.
Healthcare Billing
By Teresa Johnson June 27, 2025
Minnesota mental health billing doesn't have to be hard. Learn how Billing Buddies simplifies the process and boosts your revenue.