Revenue Cycle Time Line: Order Confirmation

This article has links to allow easy access similar content across the AR time line. Use this information as a starting point for planning, SWAT Analysis, or to review policies and procedures for gaps. Create a time line for your facility to assure all participants share the same expectations.

Revenue Cycle Goal of Order Confirmation:

· Assure the ordering clinician is credentialed to perform the procedure

· Confirm the provider is authorized, staffed, and prepared to perform the procedure

· Provide information directing the patient to the right service location at the right time

Activities and Considerations

Invasive procedures require proper coordination of numerous resources including procedure rooms, staff, equipment, medication, and the patient. Failure to properly coordinate all elements will result in inefficiencies and may lead to lost reimbursement. Poorly organized events may cause the patient to doubt the provider’s ability and professionalism. Bad experiences lead to lost business.

Scheduling software can assist by providing a single source for clinical and financial rules to be applied in the scheduling process. This technology allows the function to centralize for several departments, reducing the difficulty in coordinating activity for several tests and establishing proper control of reimbursement issues.

The Scheduling software should allow Associates to review services clinicians are approved to perform, confirming the order can be performed at the facility, and, if the procedure is invasive, that the physician performing the procedure is authorized to do so. Finally, the staff should compile NPI numbers for clinicians involved.

Non-invasive (diagnostic and therapeutics) procedures may not require scheduling. Registrars must have the ability to confirm ordering physicians are properly credentialed and that NPI numbers are input for billing purposes.