Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Medical Practice Functions

Outsourcing specific functions in your practice can be a great way to save on overhead. Just a few of the common things that can be outsourced include:

• Billing

• Pre-authorizations

• Inbound calls

• Reminder Calls

• Marketing

Usually, the big decision is not "Which outsourcing options are available?" but "Is outsourcing right for you and your practice?" The best way to help you decide is a good old-fashioned pros and cons list.

Let's use billing for an example; if you elect to keep your billing in-house, you could put on your pros list that you have total control of the billing process. You manage the staff, the process, and have an additional full-time employee.

On the cons list you could list opening yourself and your practice up to problems, such as poor training, poor job performance, and even embezzlement.

If you elected to outsource your billing with a reputable service, your pros list might include lower costs, excellent ROI, expected results, and consistency in performance.

On the cons list you could include that you would have very little direct control over the day-to-day operations and the cost to outsource may vary widely, based on your claim volume.

It really boils down to cost and control with billing, and most other outsourcing avenues as well. It has been my experience that practices that carefully select trusted outsourcing partners and elect to release control over these types of duties in the practice, are often relieved with the extra time they free up and reduced staff pressures.

Does your practice outsource? And if so, which functions? Tell us in the comment space below.