Do you run many practice locations with Athenahealth? Do billing problems drain your money every day? Multi-location practices face unique RCM challenges that single offices avoid. Studies show 67% of multi-location practices struggle with revenue cycle management. Athenahealth serves over 160,000 providers across healthcare settings nationwide. However, 42% of practices report that billing errors go up with each new location.
Athenahealth RCM system offers powerful tools for revenue cycle management. The platform handles billing, coding, and claims for thousands of practices. Multi-location setups create unique challenges not seen in single-site work. Research shows practices with 3+ locations see 35% more claim denials. Geographic changes in payer rules affect 58% of multi-location billing.
This guide covers the main Athenahealth RCM challenges for multi-location practices. We explain common problems and their impact on revenue and work. You will learn practical solutions to beat these obstacles. Using proper strategies can reduce claim denials by up to 45%. Standard workflows across locations improve collection rates by about 32%. Technology integration and staff training are key to multi-location RCM success.
Data Sync Issues
Multi-location practices have trouble keeping data the same. Each location may have different work styles.
Patient Data Problems
Patient records may differ between locations. Updates at one site do not always sync. Insurance data gets old when patients visit different locations. Duplicate patient records create billing confusion. Medical history gaps occur when data does not sync. Address changes made at one location miss others.
Insurance Check Challenges
Each location may check insurance differently. Check results at one site may not show elsewhere. Prior authorization obtained at one location is not visible to others. Coverage details differ based on where the patient gets care. Real-time check tools may not work the same across sites.
Billing Data Sync Problems
Billing data may not sync between locations well. Charge codes at one site do not always appear at others. Payment info entered at one location may not transfer. Fee schedules are updated at different times across sites. Adjustment codes vary between practice locations.
Billing and Coding Problems
Different locations often develop unique billing practices. This creates problems in how services get coded.
Coding Practice Changes
Providers at different locations may code things differently. Local coding styles develop without central watch. The same service gets different CPT codes at various sites. Modifier use varies widely between practice locations. Doc standards differ, making coding accuracy suffer.
Charge Capture Differences
Each location may capture charges at different times. Some sites enter charges right away, while others wait. Missing charges occur more often in multi-location setups. Fee schedules may not update atthe same time across all sites. Discounted services may apply differently at each location.
Documentation Variations
Each location may document services differently. Template use varies between practice sites. Provider notes may not follow the same format. Missing documentation causes coding delays. Documentation quality differs across locations. Some sites have better documentation than others.
Payment Posting Problems
Multi-location practices face complex payment posting challenges. Each site may post payments differently.
Payment Application Errors
Payments may post to the wrong patient accounts. Location-based bank accounts make payment tracking hard. Insurance payments split between locations cause confusion. Patient payments made at one location affect another site. Credit balances pile up when payments post wrong.
Bank Reconciliation Complexity
Each location may keep separate bank accounts. Daily deposit reconciliation multiplies with each added site. Payment batches from different locations need individual tracking. Bank feeds may not integrate well with Athenahealth systems. Missing deposits are harder to find with many accounts.
Payment Tracking Challenges
Tracking payments across locations becomes difficult. Payment sources get mixed between sites. Patient payment history incomplete across locations. Insurance payment tracking needs consolidation. Electronic payment posting may not sync properly. Manual payment entry errors increase with locations.
Reporting Problems
Multi-location practices need consolidated reporting for good decisions. Athenahealth reporting becomes complex with many sites.
Consolidated Reporting Issues
Standard reports may not consolidate data properly. Custom reports needed for multi-location views cost more. Real-time dashboards may not reflect all locations well. Performance metrics differ between sites, making comparison hard. Benchmark data becomes less meaningful with location changes.
Performance Tracking Difficulties
Individual location performance gets masked in aggregate reports. The top and bottom locations are hard to identify clearly. Staff productivity metrics vary widely between different sites. Collection rates differ a lot across practice locations. Denial rates may be higher at certain locations only.
Custom Report Needs
Standard reports do not meet multi-location needs well. Each location may need different report formats. Consolidating location data for reports takes time. Report access permissions vary by location and role. Scheduling reports for all locations becomes complex. Export options may not work for all data.
Staff Training Problems
Training staff across many locations creates big challenges. Each site may have different experience levels.
Training Standard Problems
New staff at different locations get different training. Best practices developed at one site do not spread. System updates roll out, but training lags behind. Experienced staff may resist standard processes and workflows. Remote locations receive less attention and support.
Support and Communication Gaps
Technical support issues take longer with many locations. Help desk tickets may not be prioritized correctly between sites. System downtime affects locations differently, causing workflow disruptions. Communication about changes does not reach all staff. Best practice sharing between locations happens rarely.
Knowledge Transfer Issues
Training materials may not reach all locations. New features get announced but are not explained well. Location managers may not communicate changes to staff. Best practices stay trapped in single locations. Staff turnover causes knowledge loss at locations. Cross-training between locations does not happen.
Solutions and Best Practices
Addressing multi-location RCM challenges needs a systematic approach. Using standard processes across all sites improves outcomes.
Standardization Strategies
- Create uniform billing policies across all practice locations
- Use consistent coding guidelines and doc standards
- Establish central oversight for revenue cycle management
Technology Optimization
Configure Athenahealth properly for multi-location work. Use automation tools to reduce manual work a lot. Integrate all locations into a single reporting dashboard. Enable real-time data sync between all practice sites. Use centralized payment posting to improve accuracy. Use Athenahealth’s built-in tools for multi-site management.
Centralized Management Approach
Designate the RCM team to oversee all locations. Create a central billing office for payment posting. Use regular communication channels between all practice sites. Develop key performance indicators tracked across all locations. Hold monthly review meetings with all site managers.
Conclusion
Multi-location practices face unique Athenahealth RCM challenges. Data sync, billing problems, and payment posting create issues. Reporting difficulties and staff training gaps affect revenue. Knowing these challenges helps practices develop good solutions. Standardization, technology optimization, and central management improve outcomes.
FAQs
What is the biggest RCM challenge for multi-location practices?
Data sync and consistency across all locations remains the biggest challenge. Patient data, insurance details, and billing data must sync properly between sites.
How can practices improve billing consistency?
Use standard policies and central oversight for all locations. Create uniform coding guidelines and doc standards across sites. Regular audits and training ensure consistency in billing practices.
Does Athenahealth support multi-location practices well?
Yes, but needs proper configuration and management approach from the start. The system has built-in multi-site tools that need a correct setup.
How often should multi-location practices audit RCM processes?
Monthly audits are recommended for all locations and processes to catch issues. Regular reviews help identify problems before they impact revenue a lot.
Can centralized billing work for multi-location practices?
Yes, central billing often improves accuracy and efficiency a lot. A single billing office reduces errors and ensures consistent processes.
What training frequency works best for multi-location staff?
Quarterly training sessions with monthly updates on changes work best. New staff need comprehensive onboarding regardless of schedule. Regular refresher training keeps all locations aligned on processes.
