The Latest in Billing & Reimbursement from Ronda Buhrmester: August 2024

Published in Member Communities on August 07, 2024

Ronda BuhrmesterBy Ronda Buhrmester, Sr. Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement, VGM & Associates 

Read below for several billing & reimbursement-specific updates regarding non-assigned or cash-only options, CPAP supply SWO review, and business health checks.

Consider Non-Assigned or Cash-Only Options 

We are past the mid-year mark, which means it’s time to review the financial status of your business. The continued increase in costs across the board from acquisition to payroll expenses is still a challenge along with the allowables remaining unchanged.  

This is the time to think outside the box by reviewing product lines being offered. Is there a product line that is driving you crazy because there is no margin (nebs, walkers, CPAP masks, beds)? We can do studies with those products to see what it will take to get into the black, whether it’s offering non-assigned claims or a cash offering. 

No other industry dispenses a product without locking in some form of payment, and the DME industry is no different. Reach out to learn more about how to think outside the box for getting the margins in the black. 

CPAP Supply SWO Review 

Suppliers are still questioning whether listing all the supplies on a SWO is valid. The answer is yes, we can list all the supplies with the quantity and frequency of refills for claims review dates February 1, 2024.  

It is a big change for our industry; however, it is acceptable. Embrace the change. Watch my recent vlog about this subject below or click here:

Ronda Vlog: Two Important Updates: Oxygen Testing and Home Assessment for Manual Wheelchairs Clarification

Business Health Check – What Is It?

Has there been a recent review of the daily operations of your business? How many times does an order get touched? Where does your denial rate, DSO, or A/R aging compare to the industry? All these questions and so much more can be answered during a business health check. With the changes in our industry and allowables continuing at decreased rates, suppliers cannot afford to have extra steps and inefficiencies. Let Kim Cuce’ and I do a review, where we offer an array of recommendations. Email us at rcs@vgm.com to get started. 

Ronda Buhrmester
ronda.buhrmester@vgm.com


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