Published in Non-Clinical

Optometry Billing, Coding, and Credentialing

This post is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision
2 min read

Optometry billing, coding, and credentialing are all things that are essential in understanding in order to start your optometry career.

At SECO, we had the chance to sit down with Eric Botts, OD, the past president of Energeyes, Inc., and the owner of OBC Billing Specialists. In this video, Matt Geller and Eric Botts talk Dr. Botts’s top three tips on optometry billing, coding, and credentialing.

Tip #1: Start with credentialing.

Which insurance panels do you want to be a provider for? The biggest mistake people make, Botts says, is not incorporating. “That way you can add doctors to your practice in the future. If you don’t incorporate to begin with, it makes the whole process something you’ve got to re-do.” Even if you’re starting solo, a simple LLC can save you a ton of trouble down the line.

Tip #2: Educate yourself!

You have to learn how to submit claims, but before that you have to learn how to code the claim. Knowing which diagnosis and procedure codes you need to use, that you can submit to pay for a procedure code, is absolutely critical.

Tip #3: Know from the start how you’re going to submit your claims.

Submitting claims electronically is so much easier, Dr. Botts says. Some of the EHRs will even tell you what level of 99 code you’re performing. You need to have someone who knows how to submit the claims, and starting out you may have the time to learn and do it yourself, but as you grow that might not stay so feasible.
Unfortunately, Dr. Botts says, too many doctors submit medical exams to routine insurance, or they’ll have claims get denied and not get paid. “And that’s just leaving those hard-earned dollars right on the table!” he exclaims. You’ve got to understand the process.
“That’s on the students, as soon as they get out of school, to start educating themselves,” says Dr. Botts.
Antonio Chirumbolo, OD
About Antonio Chirumbolo, OD

Antonio Chirumbolo, OD is the Director of Client Services at CovalentCreative. He completed his optometry degree at the SUNY College of Optometry in 2013. Antonio is passionate about digital media, marketing, and advertising and in his free time still practices optometry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Antonio Chirumbolo, OD
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