Outsourcing is when a business hires another business that specializes in certain tasks to carry out those services so the business can focus on more important matters. Running any type of business involves having menial and repetitive tasks to do (sometimes on a daily basis), and businesses will benefit more from having a service do it for them, rather than assigning these tasks to their employees.
Some of the most commonly outsourced tasks are accounting, advertising, and website development, though different businesses will have their own tasks they need to outsource. Here are some services that medical practices, in particular, should consider outsourcing.
Medical Billing
Medical billing involves submitting claims to health insurance companies, and this can be a very tedious and time-consuming task. However, it must be done in order for the medical practice to receive payment for services provided to patients. Without this service, or even if this is done incorrectly, the financial status of a medical practice can suffer greatly.
Doctor’s offices, hospitals, urgent care centers, and other facilities that provide healthcare services can greatly benefit from hiring a company to perform their medical billing or hiring a certified medical biller. Though this service requires practice to spend money, having it can actually end up saving them money in the long run.
IT Services
This is an area that many businesses tend to outsource, and most healthcare providers already choose to outsource this portion of their clinic. When outsourcing IT operations, infrastructure solutions, software development and support, and other information technology functions are handed over to a third-party service provider that specializes in information technology.
There are many benefits to outsourcing IT services, and reducing costs are one of the biggest benefits, as it is with outsourcing other sectors of a business. It also ensures that a business’s data, security, and other sensitive information are less likely to be leaked or subjected to a security breach because IT services have the knowledge and skills to prevent this from happening.
Medical Transcriptions
Like with medical billing, medical transcriptions can take up a lot of time. This is the process of copying medical notes, which, when done by hand (whether written or typed), can take up unnecessary time. If doctors are transcribing their own notes, they are likely spending less time with patients, and there’s already a shortage of primary care providers in the U.S.
Artificial intelligence and other forms of technology have allowed things like automation and other business technologies to make menial tasks easier and more efficient. Business owners of all types should take advantage of technological advances that have made the little things much easier to manage.
Payroll Management and HR Services
Payroll management and other HR (human resources) services are also typically outsourced by medical practices and other businesses. Sometimes this may include hiring services in order for businesses to find the best candidates, but there are niche job sites that cater to physicians and other healthcare professionals that medical practices can post job openings on to find medical professionals in their area who are seeking a job.
Once job listings are posted and the top candidates are picked, outsourced HR services can take over with the interviewing, hiring, and training of new employees.
If you own your own medical practice, consider outsourcing these three areas of your business. Also, consider outsourcing other parts of your practice that you think will help increase the productivity of you and your employees.
Again, outsourcing does take money, but it also saves money and time. Having a professional service that specializes in a specific task also reduces the probability of an error occurring if you or one of your employees were to take on the task instead. Outsourcing also allows your staff to be more efficient in their work, which leads to improved patient care.
