Billing for case management

[funnygirl_rn2]

Does anyone have to bill for their time in their position (i.e. preparing letters, making phone calls, writing reports, reviewing files etc...)?

Do you find it difficult or I gather that you get used to it after a while?

Anyone have any helpful hints. I often forget to gauge my time, maybe I should use my kitchen timer gadget. Thanks!

[VTX-RN]

As a field WC CM, I have to bill for my time in increments of 1/6 of a minute, i.e. a 6 minute call would be 0.1, 12 minute call 0.2 etc. It becomes second nature once you get used to it. Your employer should have some guidelines for you regarding billing. Hope this helps.

[funnygirl_rn2]

As a field WC CM, I have to bill for my time in increments of 1/6 of a minute, i.e. a 6 minute call would be 0.1, 12 minute call 0.2 etc. It becomes second nature once you get used to it. Your employer should have some guidelines for you regarding billing. Hope this helps.

Thanks! I was also wondering if it is hard to be able to account for 40 hrs per week w/billing.

[VTX-RN]

I guess it all depends on your case load. I carry about 20 files but also have a lot of travel time because of where I live. Of course I can bill for travel time (easiest billing there is by the way), mileage and so forth. It also depends on how thouroughly you work your files. I tend to be very detailed in working my files so billing for me is not a problem.

Here in NC, there are certain billing rates that are standards for the industry and are widely accepted by the insurance carriers. Examples would be phone calls and letters. The standard for voice mail messages left or received is 0.1 hours. The previous company I worked for directed that we bill a minimum of a 0.2 if we made contact with our intended party. Even a short reminder phone call to the injured worker to remind them of their appointment the next day called for billing a 0.2, even if you only talked for a minute. This was not questioned by the carriers, but I was a little uncomfortable with it. I don't do that with the company I'm with now and like it much better even though it is not generating as much income for me or the company. It is honest. However, if I have a conversation that lasts 7-8 minutes and I document in detail, I will bill a 0.2. If I have a lenghty conversation, then I will bill a 0.3 or higher depending upon the length of the call, content of the conversation and the amount of detail in the documentation.

There are also billing standards for reports that your employer would have.

In response to your original question, I billed 56.5 hours this past week. I usually wind up working/being in my office right at about the same amount of time that I bill, which I did this last week.

Hope this helps.

[funnygirl_rn2]

VTX-RN, Thanks so much for your reply. I do appreciate it which was helpful.