The Role of Outsourcing for Medical and Small Healthcare Providers in Phoenix

Many small healthcare providers and practitioners in Arizona have discovered the invaluable support of virtual assistants in Phoenix. These professionals are skilled in administrative and operational tasks. They empower medical practices to streamline operations and provide enhanced patient care.

Outsourcing virtual assistants to a service provider with offshore operations increases the strategy’s benefits. Healthcare organizations can achieve scalable processes and cost efficiency, allowing them to focus on their core mission of serving patients to the best of their abilities.

Keep reading to learn more about outsourcing’s significant role for Phoenix-based medical and small healthcare providers.

Phoenix’s Healthcare Services to Expand

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Phoenix’s population rose from 4.2 million in 2010 to 4.8 million in 2020, with more individuals growing older. The share of people under 18 fell by nearly three points to 23.5%, while those 65 and over increased from 12.3% to 16.6%.

According to the Bureau, 10,000 to 20,000 more individuals resided in Phoenix between the ages of 55 and 78 compared to a decade ago. These figures suggest that the city’s population is aging, necessitating more medical services from the Valley’s healthcare providers.

Phoenix’s healthcare sector is also expanding. The city is known for institutions such as Banner Health, Mayo Clinic, and the University of Arizona College of Medicine. The local government has designated Park Central and Midtown Phoenix as the newest bioscience hubs, accommodating a growing influx of healthcare, bioscience, and education organizations.

The Valley’s growing population and increasing medical companies and institutions position the city as a healthcare hub. However, small healthcare providers in Phoenix encounter distinct concerns. 

Phoenix’s Small Healthcare Providers Face Unique Challenges

Small medical providers experience particular issues in the growing healthcare environment. While they strive to deliver quality care and meet the needs of the city’s diverse population, they must address the following issues: 

• Administrative complexities. Billing, coding, and claims processing cause administrative hurdles.
• Financial pressures. Properly managing revenue cycles, optimizing reimbursements, and reducing expenses are more important than ever.
• Technological integration. Adopting and maintaining electronic health record (EHR) systems and other healthcare technologies needs particular expertise.
• High patient expectations. Many patients expect quick communication, convenient access to healthcare providers, and high-quality care.
• Stringent compliance requirements. Following healthcare regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), is an ongoing issue, with considerable penalties for noncompliance.

The Role of Outsourcing for Small Healthcare Providers in Phoenix

Small companies can outsource to address these challenges and focus strongly on patient care. Healthcare process outsourcing covers various services, each playing an essential part in the operations of medical practices. Let us explore the vital roles outsourcing fulfills for Phoenix’s small healthcare providers. 

Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)

The revenue cycle includes patient registration, appointment scheduling, claim processing and collection, and more. Effective RCM is indispensable for medical practices to maintain a solid financial position.

Outsourcing RCM to third-party providers helps small healthcare providers streamline operations by:

• Simplifying all aspects of the revenue cycle process
• Reducing staff administrative workload
• Improving cash flow by quickly processing claims
• Minimizing claim mistakes and denials

Medical Billing and Coding

Medical billing and coding are crucial aspects of RCM in healthcare. Accurate and timely billing ensures medical organizations receive proper compensation for services delivered. However, these complicated processes require a thorough grasp of coding systems, insurance rules, and reimbursement procedures.

Outsourcing medical billing and coding tasks to business process outsourcing (BPO) providers for efficiency allows small healthcare providers to:

• Ensure correct coding and billing reports
• Reduce claim rejections and reimbursement delays
• Keep up with evolving charging requirements
• Allow in-house staff to concentrate on patient care

Medical Transcription

Accurate and structured patient documents are necessary for providing high-quality treatment. Converting physician dictations and notes into written records is known as medical transcription.

Outsourcing medical transcription services to BPO firms offers the following benefits for small healthcare providers:

• Guaranteeing precise and organized patient records 
• Cutting the time and effort needed for manual transcription
• Providing safe, HIPAA-compliant data processing solutions
• Enabling client organizations to focus on patient care instead of administrative duties

Information Technology (IT) Services and EHR Management

As healthcare becomes more digital, the efficient management of IT systems and EHRs becomes increasingly essential. IT infrastructure must simultaneously support clinical operations, data security, and regulatory compliance.

Assigning IT services and EHR management to BPO companies assists small healthcare providers in:

• Maintaining secure and efficient IT systems 
• Ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other data security guidelines
• Gaining help from experts in healthcare technology
• Freeing up in-house IT staff for higher-value activities

Telehealth Support

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the use of telehealth services, providing patients with remote access to healthcare. Telehealth assistance entails offering virtual services such as consultations, notifications, and surveillance.

Handing telehealth services to third-party providers enables small organizations to:

• Broaden their reach to patients who might need help receiving in-person care
• Provide expert virtual advice
• Guarantee that telehealth services comply with regulatory requirements
• Deliver prompt and readily accessible healthcare assistance

Medical Answering Services

Patients frequently request services after regular business hours, and medical answering services fill the gap. Patients can use these round-the-clock services to arrange appointments, make inquiries, or contact healthcare practitioners in an emergency.

Outsourcing medical answering services to a BPO provider for efficiency can help small healthcare providers:

• Ensure that patients can connect with healthcare practitioners at any time
• Schedule appointments and respond to questions quickly
• Respond to emergency calls professionally and sensitively
• Improve patient satisfaction by being accessible and responsive

Pharmacy and Medication Management

Pharmaceutical services might be required by some healthcare professionals, particularly those in long-term care institutions, to manage drugs for patients. Accurate and timely medicine delivery is critical to ensure patient safety.

Delegating pharmacy and medication management functions can support medical companies in:

• Enhancing medication reliability and compliance
• Avoiding medication mistakes
• Assuring that patients’ medicines are delivered on time
• Improving overall patient safety and care quality 

Credentialing and Provider Enrollment

For healthcare professionals, credentialing and provider enrollment are crucial activities. Their primary role is to verify the qualifications and eligibility of medical providers when charging for services through insurance companies and government programs.

Outsourcing credentialing and provider enrollment can enable small healthcare providers to:

• Manage the time-consuming and challenging certification procedure
• Determine if providers are authorized to charge for services
• Eliminate reimbursement delays due to credentialing difficulties
• Adhere to the standards of the insurance company

Compliance and Regulatory Support

Medical professionals must comply with healthcare rules. Noncompliance can lead to sanctions, legal concerns, and reputational harm. Monitoring and maintaining conformity to applicable legislation is part of compliance support.

Designating compliance and regulatory support to service vendors helps clinical professionals:

• Keep up-to-date on changes in healthcare legislation and regulations
• Perform audits to discover and correct compliance problems
• Develop and establish compliance policies and processes
• Minimize the risk of legal or regulatory issues

Medical Records Management

Handling medical records is an urgent task for healthcare practitioners. It entails storing, managing, and safely using patient records, including EHRs and physical documents.

Assigning medical records management functions to a third-party vendor can help clinical professionals and small healthcare providers:

• Free up physical space in hospitals and clinics
• Secure the safety and privacy of patient records
• Improve patient data organization and accessibility
• Assist with the digitization of records

Staffing Solutions

Due to employee time off or patient demand, healthcare professionals often need help with staffing problems. Outsourcing workforce requirements can assist providers in running smooth operations.

Outsourcing staffing solutions allows small healthcare providers to:

• Fill vacant positions quickly with skilled third-party workers
• Maintain service continuity amid worker shortages
• Hire temporary nursing, medical, or administrative personnel as required
• Sustain high standards of care delivery

Patient Surveys and Feedback

Knowing and gathering feedback from patients is vital to improving medical services. Patient input and survey methods provide information on care experiences and opportunities for development.

Enabling a service vendor to manage patient surveys and feedback collection can help medical organizations and small healthcare providers:

• Collect relevant patient responses regarding their healthcare experiences
• Analyze points where care delivery can be improved
• Enhance patient loyalty and satisfaction
• Measure performance with established standards

Medical Research and Data Analysis

Medical research and data analysis are mandatory for staying updated on the latest medications, therapies, clinical procedures, and healthcare trends. Clinical trials, outcome analysis, and data-driven decision-making can all be part of research endeavors.

Delegating medical research and data analysis tasks to BPO companies lets healthcare practitioners:

• Gain specialized knowledge and expertise in medical research
• Perform clinical trials and studies efficiently
• Evaluate patient data for advanced treatment results
• Develop strategies for patient care based on evidence

Medical Equipment Maintenance

Medical equipment maintenance is imperative for guaranteeing the safety and performance of healthcare services. Regular inspections, repairs, and compliance with regulatory standards are all part of equipment maintenance.

Permitting a BPO company to oversee medical equipment maintenance offers advantages such as:

• Ensuring that medical devices and machines operate safely and smoothly
• Complying with statutory standards for maintenance and servicing
• Reducing equipment downtime and patient care interruptions
• Extending the usefulness of expensive medical equipment

Transportation and Logistics

The effective administration of transportation and logistics is crucial for patient care in specialized healthcare settings, such as home care or patient transportation services.

Outsourcing transportation and logistics for patient care can help small healthcare providers:

• Streamline transportation service scheduling and dispatching
• Ensure that patients arrive and leave medical appointments on time
• Boost the overall efficiency of healthcare logistics operations

Offshore Outsourcing as a Solution for Small Healthcare Providers

When a Phoenix-based medical practice requires assistance with one or more of the vital roles stated above, working with an offshore healthcare BPO company is a more practical option than building an in-house team.

An offshore BPO provider operates on another continent (e.g., Asia or Eastern Europe), far from the medical facility in Phoenix. For example, a senior care clinic in downtown Phoenix outsources administrative tasks to a service provider in the Philippines.

Third-party vendors deliver healthcare BPO services. They employ qualified virtual medical specialists, assistants, and other professionals to help healthcare clients with various back-end tasks.

Consider the following benefits when delegating healthcare processes to an offshore provider:

Robust Compliance With Policies and Standards to Avert Hefty Penalties

Changes in federal regulations and industry practices affect medical organizations in Phoenix. The practice risks penalties, litigation, and reputational loss if a restriction is breached.

An advantage of offshore outsourcing is that service vendors can help small healthcare providers adhere to regulations while keeping their data safe.

The following are some healthcare rules that a third-party provider will monitor for your medical practice:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union data policy for organizations transacting in the region. GDPR is the most rigorous privacy regulation in the world. It states that all businesses must secure client information for up to five years.  
• HIPAA is a federal statute that applies to healthcare institutions and medical professionals. Its goal is to prevent the unlawful sharing of patient health information. It defends people’s freedom to share their data with others. Phoenix has had its share of HIPAA violations recently. 

Minimal Medical Coding and Billing Mistakes for Improved Collections

Another perk of offshore outsourcing is that small healthcare providers in Phoenix can acquire a team of skilled medical coders and billers. These professionals are trained to manage complex and tedious insurance claims.

Third-party medical coders and billers can handle and complete claims activities promptly and accurately. They strive to reduce insurer claim denials so healthcare providers can collect payments quickly.

Higher efficiency from outsourcing medical coding and billing results in the following: 

• Enhanced patient experience. Accurate billing appeals to patients and encourages them to consent to service costs. Patient satisfaction improves efficiency and lessens nonpayment.
• Quicker growth. Medical organizations have less difficulty expanding their facilities and improving patient care and service with better cash inflow. 
• Better employee morale. Improved payment collections lead to higher income and fewer tasks for your personnel. Reasonable workloads with more bonuses reduce the likelihood of employee resignation.

Enhanced Cybersecurity Solutions for Protecting Data

Medical firms might invest in the latest healthcare IT applications to help improve patient treatment and care. However, data security and IT systems are not their strong suits since these fields differ from their primary profession.

One motivation for offshore outsourcing for small healthcare providers is that the BPO company can safeguard sensitive medical information from breaches and unauthorized use with the following capabilities:

• More experienced professionals than the internal IT unit. Third-party IT specialists are routinely called to address threats such as scams, hacks, data theft, and breaches. The in-house IT staff can collaborate with the third-party team to understand new cybersecurity tactics. 
• Round-the-clock cybersecurity network. Online assaults can happen anytime. In Phoenix, eight out of ten small business websites contain risks they are clueless about due to their weak protection. BPO companies use cybersecurity procedures 24/7 to guard against cyberattacks. 

Minimized Running Costs to Increase the Core Budget

Lower operating expenses are one perk of offshore outsourcing for small healthcare providers in Phoenix. Operating an internal back-end group can be time-consuming, costly, and burdensome. 

Examine how outsourcing can decrease ongoing expenditures to save funds and allow reallocation to core initiatives: 

• Office locations, physical equipment, and digital assets. Forming and managing an in-house back-office department requires purchasing new equipment and applications, plus spending on maintenance and upgrades. The medical organization must also broaden the area to fit more employees.
• Hiring. Procuring BPO services for healthcare decreases recruitment costs. The service provider covers laborious and expensive hiring functions, including employment advertisements, candidate vetting, new hire onboarding, and training.
• Payroll and non-monetary expenses. Full-time internal medical personnel receive fixed salaries irrespective of the organization’s financial standing. The healthcare provider also shoulders overtime and tax payments and non-monetary staff perks (e.g., holiday maternal and sick leaves). 

Low-cost, Reliable Remote Professionals for Enhanced Revenue 

Offshore companies from the Philippines can offer outsourcing services for small healthcare providers at a fraction of the cost of building an internal team. They employ qualified, efficient, and cost-effective work-from-home (WFH) professionals. These WFH individuals have the proper training, character attributes, and technical proficiencies to work on outsourced healthcare services. 

Presented below is a comparison of medical assistant wages in the Philippines and Phoenix (Arizona, U.S.) to exemplify the substantial cost savings of offshore outsourcing:

Source: The Philippines figure from Salary Explorer, while Phoenix, Arizona (U.S.) amount from Indeed

Note: The Salary Explorer amount was converted from Philippine pesos (PHP) to U.S. dollars ($) for quick comparison.

Compare the Philippine salary with Phoenix. Based on the figures above, outsourcing a medical assistant from the Philippines can save a healthcare organization $2,882.75 monthly. Note that the figures and computations above are approximations. Contact a third-party provider for precise cost breakdowns and fee structures.

Scalable Processes for Cost Efficiency

Scalability enables the BPO provider to quickly adjust or change the size, variety of features, or number of outsourced processes to meet operational needs without compromising present services. It enables medical practices to grow without overspending or losing excessive resources.

Outsourcing enables small healthcare providers to become scalable, providing them with the following benefits:

• Flexibility. Outsourced processes enable organizations to adjust swiftly to changing patient, client, or business expectations and realities. Offshore outsourcing businesses can be helpful for small healthcare providers in Phoenix owing to their customizable services. 
• Cost-effectiveness. Medical firms can reduce operating costs by hiring appropriate third-party specialists through outsourcing. BPO firms can cut and increase staff as needed. It can help healthcare organizations establish the scope of actions required to maximize their budget.
• Agility. The third-party provider assists the medical practice in emergency preparedness, reducing the effect of disruptions on operations, specifically patient treatment and support.

The Bottom Line

Healthcare processes in BPO empower Phoenix’s medical organizations and practitioners to focus on key strengths. Moving back-office services to a third-party vendor enables them to concentrate on patient treatment, service, and care.

Third-party specialists perform non-core operations, seamlessly merging into clinical operations as healthcare providers continue to refine quality treatment and services. Working with the proper service provider can boost income, efficiency, and output, allowing the medical practice to expand quickly. 

Let’s connect if you want to learn more about the role of outsourcing for medical and small healthcare providers in Phoenix!