Dental Claims Over 30 Days Need Attention
Dental claims over 30 days may not seem overdue. But consider a few things first. We send most of our claims electronically these days. And hopefully you send your claims every single day.
So, the claims arrive the same day they leave. And insurance companies typically process claims electronically. At least for the most part. A few claims may require some additional attention from the insurance company.
Why Follow Up at 30 Days?
There are a couple of reasons to call on these unpaid claims. The most obvious reason is that we want to get paid now! The longer you wait, the longer you wait. No one likes to wait to get paid.
The goal is always 100% collections. We certainly don’t want to see any claims roll-over into the over 60 or over 90 day category.
Dental Claims Over 30 Days
Follow-Up is Best!
And it’s so much easier if there is a problem to get it fixed now. The longer it takes to identify a problem, the harder it can be to get it fixed. Especially if there is a problem with patient eligibility or an issue like that.
Dental Claims Over 30 Days Follow-Up
Now it’s time to pick up the phone. And we want to start at the top of our list. Then call through one by one.
You may have an insurance aging report that gives you almost everything you need. It may in fact give you everything you need to call insurance.
But just in case, prepare yourself. Bring up the patient account and insurance information.
Document & Take Great Notes
Keep a notepad handy. And make notes as you go. Take a clean sheet of paper for each call. Write the date and time as you call. Then write your patient’s name. A small legal pad is a great idea!
And you can flip pages as you make calls. If you have the ability to scan, you can scan the notes into your patient’s chart. Or you can make notes on the claim itself in your software if you prefer. Or any other location that serves you well.
Just be consistent in where you put these notes.
The Conversation
The inquisition begins! Once you reach someone and answer their questions, it is your turn. You first want to just ask if they have received a claim.
Provide all of the information they request. Usually this will include the patient ID#, name, date of birth, etc. The insurance representative will guide you along the way.
And remember, ask if they are in receipt of the claim in question.
