Customer Reviews

Medical Billing Networks and Processes - Profitable and Compliant Revenue Cycle Management in the Internet Age

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Medical Billing is one of those niche targeted books that demonstrates the benefit of place like Amazon.com. This is the kind of book that you would NEVER find if not for the Internet. This book is a veritable cornucopia of information and advice on how a medical practice needs to structure itself to ensure viable billing practices. This is valuable to not only the physician but also to the patient.

The author suggests that although the managed care billing system may appear to be broken, with the right disciplines we can FIX IT ourselves in many cases. In my work with medical practices and hospitals I can't tell you how often I come across physicians that have no choice but to reduce certain patient services because they just don't have the income to invest it where they would like. In the same way I have seen improper billing procedures frustrate patients so much that they literally REDUCE the number of doctor visits just to avoid the hassle of dealing with insurance and billing companies.

What I particularly liked about Yuval's book is that it can be easily understood by medical professionals, billing and insurance company representatives but also by the common person. He starts with a clear, thorough explanation of the history of the medical billing system, the advent of managed care and then gets into the nuts and bolts of billing explaining in a very down-to-earth manner, Super bills, allowable, write-offs, charge-backs, how the clearing houses work and so on. The book is loaded with graphs, captions, bullet points and images that just aid in the understanding of what can often a rather confusing topic.

Throughout the book, the author makes reference to how the system needs to change and what new variables may be on the horizon. I found this to be helpful in guiding my medical clients toward some policies and procedures that we may want to put in place regarding the new ICD codes and CPT10 system, the new FTC Red Tag privacy issues, and new HIPA regulations. The book makes a great reference tool for planning as well.

As a consultant that spends time consulting with hospital administrators, practice managers and physicians I have to say this is probably THE MOST comprehensive, easy to understand manual on medical billing that I have ever seen. I have actually purchased several copies to give to some of my clients and I suggest other medical consultants do the same.

I STRONGLY recommend this book to all medical professionals, practice managers and medical consultants. That said, if you are a patient and really want to understand the medical billing process I will say this is the ONLY book for you.

Also check out Yuval's book on practice management as well. Thanks Dr. Lirov for helping us to all take charge in fixing what is a broken system!

I recommend this book to anyone who is new to the medical billing industry. I learned a great deal about the processing cycle, approaches to track claims and maximize management workflow. The language is easy to understand and has great examples. However, if you have this book, do not buy the Medical Billing Networks and Processes - Profitability...by the same author. Many of the chapters are exactly the same in both books; one is sufficient.

Medical Billing Networks and Processes - Profitable and Compliant Revenue Cycle Management in the Internet Age- in my opinion this "how to" book is simply a must in any medical office . Before i read it- i was providing service- but did not know how to claim my money effectively and found myself loosing tens of thousands of dollars yearly. The author, Dr. Lirov showed me the way to work less and make more money.

Everything from the intracacies of straight-through billing to how appreciation of the Indian rupee may impact your practice. Truly, "Medical Billing Networks and Processes" is mandatory reading for those practices wanting to stay on the cutting edge.

Modern medical practice tries to defer one certainty, death, while dealing with the other two: taxes and bad debt. With the Hippocratic oath and the IRS competing for a physician's share of mind, it's not surprising the third certainty gets less attention causing the average medical practice to work for free seventy days per year.

Having cast the relationship between providers and payers as a David and Goliath conflict and planted himself firmly in the little fella's corner, Lirov structures the book along the lines of the provider's workflow to identify how they can systematically improve their odds when dealing with payers motivated to pay less.

By combining cogent argument, case studies you can get your arms around and memorable rules of thumb Lirov applies lessons learnt years ago in the financial and telecommunication industries to demonstrate how a physician's bottom line can be improved while freeing up time for patient care and, saints alive, a personal life.

At times the proposed solutions seem too straightforward, begging the question why well-educated doctors would allow the underlying problems to beset them. Until you remember that they spent all that money educating themselves to be physicians not business managers. Lirov's lucid prescriptions can help put the onus back on that vocation.

Physical therapists have a strong background and foundation in clinical orthopedics, physics, biomechanics, anatomy, neurophysiology, physiology, medical diagnostics for physical therapists, histology, and all other related subjects. That is the knowledge that we acquire when preparing for our profession.

But, the physical therapy education programs do not prepare us for the harsh realities of daily struggles with insurance companies in order to get our services paid in full and on time. The physical therapy program graduates lack basic knowledge about payer-provider adversity, HIPAA compliance, audit mechanics, SOAP note management, reporting tools, practice profitability metrics, and outsourcing opportunities. Additionally, the programs do not teach us how to use modern computer technology to leverage our collective health care and practice management knowledge.

Nobody is better positioned to close such a major knowledge gap than Dr. Yuval Lirov. As CEO of Vericle, a leading-edge medical billing and practice management technology vendor, Dr. Lirov has a unique opportunity to implement state of the art methodologies and test them on both small and large-scale PT practices. Dr. Lirov delivers an easy to read and highly informative expertly written book. Medical Billing Networks is a must read for every owner of a rehab or physical therapy practice.

Yaffa Liebermann, PT, GCS, CEO
Prime Rehabilitation Services, Inc.

I was dissapointed with this book. I did not learn anything new. More of a promotion to his billing software than anything. I regret paying $70.00 for it.