"How can outsourcing dental billing support my practice?"

This is a common question we hear. Many dental practices recognize the challenges of managing billing in-house and understand that outsourcing could be a solution, but they often wonder how it will truly benefit their team and bottom line. Furthermore, they aren't sure where to start. In this guide, we’ll explore how outsourcing can support your practice and provide tips to help you choose the right partner for your needs.

Table of contents

1. Why choose to outsource dental billing?
2. How to choose a dental billing company: Interview questions
3. Why choose Wisdom?

An increasing number of dental practices are turning to outsourcing revenue cycle management (dental RCM) to streamline operations and enhance financial performance. The complexities of dental billing and the constant need for efficiency make outsourcing a cost-effective solution that alleviates stress for dental practices. However, the choice of what dental billing company to work with can greatly influence a practice's financial health and the morale of its team.

5 Reasons why dental practices choose to outsource dental billing

1. Understaffing  

Many dental practices struggle with challenges related to short staffing and reliability. By outsourcing dental billing, practices can free their in-office teams to focus on patient interactions while relieving them of administrative tasks such as payment posting, waiting on hold with insurance companies, and submitting claims. This approach maximizes flexibility in managing workflow and service levels, allowing the team to prioritize patient care without being overwhelmed by billing responsibilities. Additionally, if team members need to take time off, the billing process remains uninterrupted. 

2. Turnover  

High turnover rates can disrupt daily operations and impact patient care. By outsourcing billing functions, practices can ensure a consistent revenue cycle management process that is not affected by staff changes, leading to greater stability and reliability.  

3. Lack of training and errors  

Dental billing is intricate and requires specialized knowledge. In-house teams may lack the necessary training, resulting in costly errors. Outsourcing to a professional billing company ensures accuracy, reduces errors, and maximizes revenue through the expert handling of dental billing responsibilities. 

4. Cost  

While outsourcing may seem like an additional expense, it can often be more cost-effective in the long run. Practices save on overhead costs associated with the hiring, and/or expert level training that is needed for dental billers. Revenue will increase as well, when experts are responsible for billing responsibilities. 

5. Allowing in-office teams to focus on patients  

Outsourcing billing allows in-office teams to concentrate on patient care rather than administrative tasks. This shift not only enhances the patient experience but also boosts staff morale, as team members can focus on their core responsibilities.

Hiring front desk staff for their strong interpersonal skills and focus on patient care is key to creating a welcoming environment. By outsourcing billing tasks, you can shift the focus away from specialized billing expertise, allowing your administrative team to prioritize their essential roles in patient interactions. This support empowers your staff to build meaningful relationships with patients while ensuring that billing is handled efficiently and accurately, ultimately enhancing the overall patient experience.

Choosing the right dental billing company

Selecting the right dental billing company requires careful consideration, much like interviewing a potential team member. Here are 8 questions you can ask dental billing company representatives to guide your decision-making process:

5 Essential questions:

Understanding these aspects in preliminary research and conversations will enable you to determine if your systems, processes, needs, and budget align with potential dental billing companies.

1. Practice management software (PMS):

Are you well acquainted with our existing PMS? Can you seamlessly integrate with our systems, and perhaps share an example of yours?

2. Services provided:

Beyond what's on your website, what additional support can we rely on as needed? And equally important, what falls outside the scope of standard dental billing services? What sets you apart from competitors from a service perspective?

3. Start-up fees:

Are there any initial fees or setup costs involved? 

4. Equipment:

Will we need any additional equipment for smooth collaboration? If so, are we responsible for the cost, or do you provide it?

5. Reporting:

How does your team track data and ensure accurate account reconciliation? And most importantly, how will this vital information be conveyed to our team?

3 Deeper topics to discuss:

Understanding these aspects about potential dental billing partners will help ensure a strong, long term partnership that benefits your practice.

1. Outsourcing practices:

Do you outsource any of the services we're considering entrusting to you? If the answer is yes, what are the details of that system? Does that impact working, and communication hours of business?

2. Communication structure:

Who will be our main point of contact for daily, weekly, and monthly communications? What topics will typically be discussed during these interactions, and how will communication flow between our teams?

3. Internal and external stability:

How stable has your team been over the past year? Will we work with the same team daily? What's the average duration of your partnerships with clients? 

Wisdom: a partnership for dental RCM success

Wisdom dental billing, co-founded by Ashley Bond, is deeply rooted in her personal and professional journey within the dental industry. Ashley’s career began at her father’s dental practice, where she gained firsthand experience managing the daily operations of a dental office. It was there that she encountered the significant challenges practices face with billing and revenue cycle management. When her father’s practice struggled with billing issues, Ashley recognized the need for a solution that could not only address these challenges but also allow her to manage his revenue cycle remotely.

Motivated by this experience, she created Bond Dental Billing, a company dedicated to providing effective billing solutions tailored to dental practices. In 2023, Bond Dental Billing evolved into Wisdom, reflecting a larger vision of combining expert support with innovative technology. Ashley partnered with Wisdom to develop a framework that prioritizes operational efficiency, financial health, and patient care. This collaboration continues to emphasize the importance of relationships and teamwork in delivering solutions tailored to the unique needs of the dental community.

Outsourcing your dental billing can transform your practice’s financial health and operational efficiency. By partnering with Wisdom, you gain access to a team committed to improving collections, enhancing patient satisfaction, and fostering a culture of collaboration and trust. Let us help you navigate the complexities of dental revenue cycle management so you can focus on what truly matters—providing exceptional patient care.