Increase Your Office Efficiency with these Add-On Features

Bonnie J. Flom • November 5, 2017
Medical Billing

Greetings!   Bonnie Flom from Billing Buddies spent Saturday, November 4th in Irvine, CA at an Office Ally Conference to learn about the newest features (and old features) that can optimize and expedite the cash flow of an office AND save many hours of time.  Below are some add-on products that are integrated in Office Ally as well as a Sample Policy & Procedure manual for your clinic to incorporate these features.   Don’t use Office Ally?  Use this article as a spring board to see what your own software has to offer.  Or, to contemplate the switchover to Office Ally.

If your office uses Billing Buddies for billing services or you have questions on how to implement these time saving features into your practice, please feel free to contact Bonnie directly at 952-657-7505 to implement any of these features.   Billing Buddies does not profit in any of the features listed below.   Our interest is to help our clients become more efficient and save money making the most out of technology.

Add-On Features:

1)  Reminder Mate –    Patient Reminders integrates with the appointment schedule to send appointment reminders to your patients via text, call or email.  Reduce your missed appointments and increase your revenue.

2)  Patient Ally –   Patient Portal allows your patients to complete and fill out their paperwork BEFORE they come into the office.  The paperwork is then saved directly into Office Ally.  (Patient Information Form, HIPAA ‘Forms, Credit Card Authorization Form, Consent to Treat Forms, etc.)

3) Intake Pro – Your patient didn’t fill out the paperwork at home?  No problem.  This feature gives the office iPads for the patients to complete their forms on iPads and integrate and upload into Office Ally.  No need to enter patient data into Manage Patient anymore.

4) 24/7 EHR – Office Ally’s EHR software, 24/7, allows providers to easily document the patients medical records.  It also integrates with the billing process and sends the charges into the billing system, Practice Mate.

5)  AxiaMed – Accept, store, process and integrate credit card payments in Office Ally.  You can setup automatic payments via payment plans and have patients pay via their statement all online.  As well as process credit cards in house.  No more waiting for patient checks to arrive via snail mail.

6)  PLD – Electronic statements integrate with Office Ally via the service of PLD.  No more printing, stuffing and stamping statements.

7)  TSI – TSI is the designated collection agency with Office Ally.  (Transworld Systems Inc.) You can send your accounts to them with the click of a button and all the payments post report back to the collection agency automatically.  TSI offers three types of services ranging from pre-collection to collection work .

Finally, how would your office work if you integrated all of these features into your daily work flow?   Receive a copy of our Sample Policy and Procedure Manual by emailing bonnie@billingbuddies.com.   And, if you are a Billing Buddies client and want to utilize any of these features or have us assist in creating your very own Policy and Procedure Manual, please contact Bonnie directly at 952-657-7505.  Thank you and as always, make it an awesome day.

This message is brought to you by: Billing Buddies, a medical billing agency that was established in 1994.  We bring quick tips and tricks to health care providers at no cost. Our goal is to keep providers informed so they are better able to serve their clients. If you ever have any billing questions or are in need of a billing agency, please call or text us at 612.432.2366.   Our packages deals are very cost effective and all of our staff are certified through AMBA.

Billing Nightmares with ARHMS in Minnesota? Here’s the Real Fix Nobody Talks About

By Bonnie Flom • April 21, 2025
Fact: ARHMS providers across Minnesota – especially in Minneapolis – are spending more hours than ever on billing, and it’s affecting client care. Between compliance rules, rejected claims, and slow payments, many teams are overwhelmed. But what if ARHMS billing didn’t have to be a full-time job? Table of Contents: ● The Real Problem with ARHMS Billing Today ● What Makes ARHMS Billing in Minneapolis Especially Challenging ● How Outsourcing Isn’t Just Easier — It’s Smarter ● What Billing Buddies Does Differently ● Quick Comparison: DIY Billing vs. Partnering with Billing Buddies ● Final Word + How to Connect The Real Problem with ARHMS Billing Today Let’s be real: ARHMS billing is no longer just about submitting claims. It’s about understanding state-specific codes, documenting every move correctly, and constantly adjusting to DHS updates. If you're still relying on manual methods or a stretched-thin team, the odds of losing revenue go up fast. What Makes ARHMS Billing in Minneapolis Especially Challenging? Minneapolis is fast-paced, and so is the demand for mental health and habilitation support. But here’s the kicker — more clients mean more billing. More billing means more room for error. If even one code is off or a note is missing, your claim can get stuck for weeks. Providers here aren’t just looking for help — they need speed, accuracy, and someone who actually gets local systems. How Outsourcing Isn’t Just Easier — It’s Smarter? Outsourcing ARHMS billing isn’t just about handing off tasks. It’s about: ● Reclaiming Time: So your team can focus on what they’re best at — client care. ● Reducing Stress: Say goodbye to rejections, late filings, and compliance fears. ● Improving Cash Flow: Claims are submitted right, the first time. What Does Billing Buddies Do Differently? We’re not a generic billing company. We’re local experts who specialize in Minnesota Medicaid systems — especially ARHMS. With Billing Buddies, you get: ● A team trained in Minnesota-specific ARHMS codes and DHS guidelines ● Fast turnaround on claims and re-submissions ● Clean reporting so you always know where your money’s at ● Support that’s personal — we work with your staff, not around them We work with providers throughout Minneapolis and beyond — helping small teams grow by giving them their time and cash flow back. Quick Comparison: DIY Billing vs. Billing Buddies

Is Your Mental Health Practice Losing Money? Here’s How Credentialing Services Can!

By Bonnie Flom • April 21, 2025
Over 40% of mental health professionals in private practice report delays or denials in insurance reimbursements due to credentialing issues. Without proper credentialing, therapists and counselors risk being excluded from insurance networks—directly impacting patient access and practice revenue. That's where credentialing services for mental health come in. For providers in Minnesota and beyond, working with a dedicated billing partner like Billing Buddies can make the difference between reimbursement success and financial stress. Table of Contents: What This Blog Will Cover What Is Credentialing in Mental Health? Why Is Credentialing So Important? Common Challenges in the Credentialing Process How Billing Buddies Simplifies Credentialing for Mental Health Providers Benefits of Outsourcing Credentialing Services Credentialing vs. Re-Credentialing: Know the Difference The Minnesota Advantage: Why Local Expertise Matters Conclusion + CTA What is Credentialing in Mental Health? Credentialing is the process of verifying a provider’s qualifications—including licenses, education, training, and work history—to ensure they meet the standards of insurance networks. It’s mandatory if you want to be reimbursed by insurers like Blue Cross, Medica, UCare, or UnitedHealthcare. Why is Credentialing So Important? Without proper credentialing: ● You cannot accept insurance. ● Your claims may be rejected. ● You miss out on a major client base. And here’s the kicker—credentialing takes time (30-120 days) and must be accurate to avoid denial. Common Challenges in the Credentialing Process Challenge: Incomplete Applications Missed Deadlines Lack of Follow-Up Misunderstanding Payer Requirements Confusion Between Credentialing & Contracting Impact: Delays or denial in approval Need to restart the process Long waiting periods without updates Leads to rework and frustration Payment delays or lost payer relationships How Billing Buddies Simplifies Credentialing for Mental Health Providers? Billing Buddies offers personalized credentialing services tailored for mental health practices. Our team: ● Prepares and reviews all documents. ● Submits applications to insurance networks. ● Tracks application status with regular updates. ● Handles payer communication. ● Maintains re-credentialing timelines. You focus on patients. We focus on paperwork. Benefits of Outsourcing Credentialing Services When you work with credentialing pros like Billing Buddies, you: ● Speed up approvals ● Reduce errors and rejections ● Improve insurance payouts ● Save administrative time ● Avoid burnout from non-clinical tasks It's a smart move for solo providers and group practices alike. Credentialing vs. Re-Credentialing: Know the Difference Credentialing is the first-time process of getting approved by an insurance network. Re-credentialing happens every 2-3 years to verify that your information is still accurate. Both are necessary—and both are time-sensitive. The Minnesota Advantage: Why Local Expertise Matters? When you choose Billing Buddies, you're not just getting generic credentialing services. You’re partnering with a team that understands mental health billing in Minnesota , including local payer systems, Medicaid requirements, and state-specific nuances. We’ve helped therapists across Minnesota get credentialed quickly and keep their payments flowing. Don’t Let Credentialing Hold You Back Whether you're launching your private practice or expanding your network, proper credentialing is essential. And with so many moving parts, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s where Billing Buddies steps in—to take credentialing off your plate and help you focus on what really matters: patient care. Let Billing Buddies handle the paperwork so you can focus on healing. Also, learn more about our expert solutions for mental health billing in Minnesota today!

Why Mental Health Billing Is a Nightmare—and How to End It for Good?

By Bonnie Flom • April 18, 2025
Fact: Nearly 60% of mental health providers say that insurance billing and credentialing slow down their ability to focus on patient care. Between changing payer rules, claim rejections, and the exhausting credentialing process, providers often find themselves spending more time on admin work than therapy sessions. That’s where specialized mental health billing and credentialing services come in—and Billing Buddies is leading the charge. Table of Contents Why Mental Health Billing Is So Complex What Credentialing Means (and Why It’s a Game-Changer) Benefits of Outsourcing to Billing Buddies Mental Health Billing vs. Medical Billing: What’s Different? Our Process: How Billing Buddies Simplifies It All Summary Table: What You Get with Billing Buddies Final Thoughts + How to Get Started Why is Mental Health Billing So Complex? Unlike general medical billing, mental health services involve unique codes, session limits, and pre-authorizations. Even small errors in time-based coding or failing to include proper documentation can lead to claim denials. Key challenges include: ● Frequent insurance changes ● Limited sessions per year ● Confusing modifiers and CPT codes ● Authorization requirements ● Varied payer-specific rules What Credentialing Means (and why it’s a Game-Changer)? Credentialing is the process of verifying a provider’s qualifications with insurance companies so they can join a payer network. It involves paperwork, follow-ups, and long wait times—anywhere from 60 to 180 days. If you’re not credentialed, you can’t bill insurance. And if you’re improperly credentialed, delays and rejections will keep stacking up. Benefits of Outsourcing to Billing Buddies When you hand off your billing and credentialing tasks to Billing Buddies, you save hours weekly—and potentially thousands of dollars monthly. Perks include: ● Fewer claim denials ● Faster reimbursement ● Error-free submissions ● Up-to-date compliance ● Full credentialing support ● More time for patient care Mental Health Billing vs. Medical Billing: What’s Different?