Dental and medical billing are somehow parallel in their understanding and fundamental principles. In both dental, medical billing and coding processes, you have to understand their inner core principles and the working of insurance companies in receiving and paying claims. However, it’s essential to know about dental, medical billing, and coding and how it is different from the medical billing process.
Dental and medical billing incorporates information about sending claims, including correct codes and communicating with insurance companies. The processing system between these billing systems is somehow similar, but there are some differences between them.
This article will discuss the similarities and differences between dental and medical billing.
What is Dental Medical Billing and Coding Process?
Dental, medical billing, and coding involve all the steps included in receiving payments from insurance companies and patients for the medical practices being provided. You have to collect patient information, verify patient insurance coverage, the implication of correct codes, etc. The codes related to dental billing are updated regularly, and your billing department needs to be updated related to these codes.
Medical billing relates to generating healthcare claims submitted to the insurance companies to obtain reimbursements for the provided medical services. If your medical biller has significant knowledge of medical billing, it can optimize your revenue streams and improve the revenue cycle management process.
How are Dental and Medical Billing Similar?
Dental and medical billing processes are somehow similar in their working procedures. The process structure is almost identical, and you have to know in-depth about both these billing procedures.
- In-depth information on patient demographics and insurance is needed.
- The process of sending claims is almost similar.
- The inclusion of valid codes is fundamental in both billing procedures.
- You have to deal with insurance companies effectively in both billing procedures.
So, these are similarities in dental and medical billing.
Differences Between Dental and Medical Billing
Now that we have discussed the similarities between dental medical billing and coding procedures let’s explore their differences.
- If you talk about dental coding, it uses a diverse set of data in sending claims and compiling the coding process. Medical billing and coding are different in this perspective. Medical coding depends on three aspects: CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10. Dental coding utilizes a significant text known as Current Dental Terminology and issued by the American Dental Association. So, the inclusion of codes is different in both medical billing procedures. You have to handle the codes with great care to get successful reimbursement in both cases.
- In dental, medical billing and coding claim forms are used like other medical claims. The dental claim form is known as J400. This document contains all the critical information related to patient demographics, service provision date, patient dental insurance, and dental codes. It also includes provider information like treatment location, charges, and identification. There is an extensive amount of data required in dental claim forms. This information can consist of specific tooth surfaces, information about the missing teeth, procedure descriptions, and others. This data is linked with the dentist’s procedure to the patient.
- One significant difference between dental and medical billing is the frequency of updated information and its revisions. Updates in both billing procedures are different, and one has to get updates on every upgrade in the system.
Insurance Coverage
If patients do not have the correct insurance, they will not receive any reimbursement and have to pay for every medical service they receive. Being a medical coder, you have to be conscious of the patient’s insurance coverage and incorporate it correctly. Most patients think that their insurance coverage also covers dental insurance coverage.
If a patient receives dental care linked with a medical condition, medical insurance will likely accept bills. The patient has to consult with the dental medical billing and coding department about whether the dental services they are demanding can be covered in their existing insurance type or not.
Outsourcing your Dental Medical and Coding
Excessive knowledge is required to process dental and medical billing, and therefore dentists feel unsafe outsourcing this process.
You can have outrageous benefits if you outsource your dental, medical billing, and coding from a well-known dental medical billing company. They have a capable staff for performing every dental billing task that will result in patient satisfaction, claim reimbursements, and cost efficiency, leading to successful medical billing for dentists.
If you want to have all of these benefits of outsourcing your dental medical and coding services, Ucontrol billing is the best option for dentists.
Conclusion
Now you know the basic similarities and differences between the dental medical billing and coding process. Dental billing is a little complex in comparison with medical billing procedures. Having incomplete knowledge of the dental billing process can disrupt your claim approval from insurance companies.
The best solution is to outsource the dental billing process. Ucontrol billing is capable of handling your complex dental billing tasks successfully and increasing your revenue streams. We are a cost-efficient solution and promising in delivering high-value results. Save your time and money and contact us whenever you want.
FAQs
What is dental medical billing and coding?
Dental, medical billing, and coding refer to sending the complete information of the treatment provided to the patient to insurance companies for claim reimbursements. Dental coding is a complex procedure in comparison with the medical billing process.
What are common dental medical billing and coding errors?
Common dental medical billing and coding errors occur due to incomplete billing information, including incorrect dental codes and conflicting information.
How do you prevent dental medical billing and coding errors?
You can prevent dental medical billing and coding errors by using the latest medical billing software, staff training, cross-checking patient information, etc.
A couple of years ago, I executed the effective plan of creating a Medical billing and Coding company named U Control Billing. The company aims to bring revolutionary advancements to foster medical billing and coding revenues. As an official member of HIA-LI and MGMA, I feel honored in providing networking opportunities, problem-solving, and improving the revenue management cycle.
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