Deciding if outsourcing your Chronic Care Management program can be a difficult decision.  Your patients depend on you for quality, compassionate care. As a care provider, part of your mission is to be sure every patient enjoys the best possible quality of life. For patients with chronic conditions, that often means checking in with them periodically to answer any questions they may have and to be sure they are following the treatment plan. Taking steps like these can lower a patient’s likelihood of being hospitalized, reduce the number of office visits they need, and help them feel valued and well-cared for.

Because Chronic Care Management (CCM) plays such an important role in patient wellbeing, Medicare reimburses practices for the time they spend on Chronic Care Management tasks. Under billing code CPT 99490, care providers can receive compensation for time spent on phone calls, emails, referral coordination, reviewing lab results and other non-face-to-face patient care conducted outside an office visit.

The problem is that documenting the necessary information and submitting it takes time and resources. You may need to implement new technology to meet the requirements, or you may need to hire an additional staff member to administrate the program and encourage patients to enroll.

Outsourcing your Chronic Care Management program to a third-party provider solves those problems for you. By removing the burden of compliance and documentation from the shoulders of your staff, outsourcing makes it possible to benefit from the Chronic Care Management reimbursement program without much extra effort or expense.

Despite the potential benefits, however, you may still have some concerns about how outsourcing will affect your patients and your practice.  In this post, we’ll talk about three of the most common objections we hear.

1. Quality of Care

Quality of patient care rightfully takes highest priority when you weigh your Chronic Care Management options. A responsible practice will always ask questions like these when considering a third-party provider:

  • Will the provider provide the same quality of care that my practice provides?
  • Will the provider show the same concern for my patients that I do?
  • Will my patients notice a difference in the care they receive from the provider as compared with the staff at my practice?

These are valid questions, and it’s important to talk through them with any third-party Chronic Care Management provider you consider. At HealthXL®, quality patient care is our number one priority. We treat your patients with the care and concern they deserve, and we are committed to building strong relationships that help your patients feel comfortable during every interaction.

Because we focus exclusively on Chronic Care Management, we are able to provide a uniquely patient-centered, empathetic focus that supports your specific recommendations for every patient.

2. Startup Costs

Ready for some more good news? Outsourcing your CCM program to HealthXL® won’t cost you anything up front. Because we follow a success-based revenue-sharing model, we get paid only when the program begins generating revenue. In fact, many practices find that they save money over the cost of managing the program internally, because they don’t need to hire any additional staff members or purchase technology.

We help you through all the initial startup procedures, including patient calling campaigns, enrollment, and technology integrations. The implementation process also includes technology solutions to meet Medicare’s EHR requirements, and all documentation processes comply with HIPAA to protect the rights of your patients.

It’s an effortless way to create a new revenue stream for your practice without requiring additional work for your staff.

3. Learning Curve

Your staff is most likely already operating at full capacity, and you may be hesitant to add additional requirements to their schedules. There simply isn’t enough time to get it done. Even if you work with a third-party Chronic Care Management provider, you may be concerned about the time investment needed to learn and implement the program.

If that’s a concern to you, you’ll be thrilled to know that there’s very little you need to do to get started with the program. We help you with marketing using practice-branded materials, and we offer convenient in-office training and resources so you have all the information you need at your fingertips.

Is Outsourcing Chronic Care Management the Right Choice for Your Practice?

If you’re still unsure about whether a third-party provider is right for you, start by asking these questions:

  • Do I have the time and staff to administrate a Chronic Care Management program?
  • How does the provider document services?
  • What protections are in place to ensure HIPAA compliance?
  • How does the provider ensure a positive patient experience?
  • How does the provider ensure continuity of care and adherence to recommendations?
  • How will the provider help me market the program and promote enrollment?

For many practices, outsourcing is the best way to provide quality chronic care management that supports patient education, promotes better long-term health, and boosts practice income.

Do you have questions or additional concerns about outsourcing your chronic care management program? Please let us know! We would love to answer your questions and support you every step of the way.