Streamlining Billing Accuracy

A defect reduction project was done for the billing process at a healthcare provider. Key issues identified were multiple data sources, manual data entries, data entry mistakes, complex systems with no in-built checks and confusion in the staff with respect to coding and billing procedures. Action taken included incorporating some in-system checkpoints, restricting the access to billing to a select few for standardization, use of scanners for auto-billing and training of staff on billing codes and procedures. These solutions reduced the billing error rate from about 12% to 2% and also improved the efficiency of the billing process.