What are your EMS new year's resolutions for 2019? Maybe collecting all signature forms? Perhaps making sure you attach all EKG recordings to your ePCR? Or switching to EMS software like AIM to make life and work a little easier?

The new year is quickly approaching—that means new deductibles. How does your EMS Agency plan to handle exposure to deductibles this January? There is no way to completely alleviate the reduction of revenue your EMS agency will experience from deductibles, but there are ways to reduce your exposure. For instance, it's a common EMS billing practice to hold January Medicare Part B claims for 3-4 weeks before submitting. Sometimes it's longer, depending on the length of time that crossover takes. Doing this helps to reduce exposure to deductibles that minimize the number of patient pay claims. In other words, to reduce your exposure to deductibles, don't file too early in the year.

The AIM EMS Dispatch Software MIGHT not make dispatching THIS easy... but it will make dispatching easier! Learn about AIM's integrated EMS Dispatch, EMS ePCR & EMS Billing Software and EMS Billing Services.

EMS billing can be challenging. To make the process easier, Mary recommends improving EMS workflow with AIM's File Attachment feature which keeps the supporting documentation of EMS claims organized and easily accessible.

We love learning about our customers! Today we feature, Jean, a billing specialist (and so much more!) from Community Ambulance Service. What’s her work music? What snacks are hidden in her desk? Watch to find out.

Jamie from Lumberton Emergency Squad reflects on the professionalism and compassion of AIM EMS Billing Services and the value of being able to access her agency’s patient information and communicate with her billing service whenever needed.

Anyone who knows anything about EMS billing knows billers have enough on their plate. EMS billers work hard daily to prepare claims, ensure compliance, address denials, and much more. They do a great job, but often focus so much on taming that mountain of day-to-day tasks that they inadvertently neglect EMS accounts receivable management. EMS accounts receivable management attempts to resolve debtor balances, but also tracks how much revenue comes in and how long it takes to receive it. When EMS billers don’t consistently perform these tasks, the entire agency suffers the consequences.

“Thank you” comes few and far between in EMS. Patients occasionally thank first responders, who definitely deserve it. They work in all climates, all environments, and whenever called. Behind the scenes, EMS billers and supporting staff are even less likely to receive recognition for their dedication and hard work.

EMS billing staff require complete, accurate data to submit claims to payers. If crews can’t document and collect all necessary patient care data and forms during a transport, EMS billers will have to play catch-up. These delays will disrupt the entire EMS billing process and later revenue collection.

Sometimes, EMS billing staff ask field providers to help find a copy of a patient care record. This might work out alright… until the field providers get busy with other things. Sure, the PCR ends up where it needs to be, but all the lost time adds up-and it’s expensive. If you want to bypass the delay, ePCR is your answer. Electronic patient care records combine with today’s advancements in data security to give the EMS billing department, the ambulance managers, and all of those involved in the QA/QI process access to patient care records at any time, on almost any type of electronic device.