Business office personnel release millions of medical records annually to commercial health plans and government payers to expedite payment of claims, appeal denials, or fulfill auditor requests. Time spent by billers and collectors aggregating and sending this protected health information (PHI) represents a significant distraction and efficiency challenge for business office directors and revenue cycle leadership. The interference in workflow also reduces revenue-producing claims-processing time for uniquely skilled business office staff. Furthermore, a nonstandardized process may increase the chance of a costly HIPAA violation. By considering alternative workflow options, business office leaders can improve their billing processes and decrease denials.
