ClaimTek’s MedOffice® Software is for serious-minded Medical Billing Professionals, who want and expect much more for their new business investment. Our State-of-the-art software technology that allows you access from anywhere will help your business grow quickly and run smoothly. If you want a greater return on your investment, don’t settle for overrated, expensive, slow, unsafe, Bottom-of-The-Barrel web browser technology. 

Below is a full analysis why browser web-based ASP applications are not your best choice to run a truly professional medical billing service.

First, we would like to briefly explain the 3 methods that software applications in this field can be accessed.

(1) The application is installed locally on your computer or on your local network

(2) The application is accessed remotely via simple direct connection from any computer (free connectivity utility is part of your Windows operation systems). This is called Server-Based ASP. (MedOffice can be run as a server-based ASP.)

(3) The application is web-based accessed via a browser. This is called Browser-Based ASP.

Notice that there are 2 kinds of ASP models: Server-based and Browser-based. Server-based gives you the same rich user experience in usability, look and feel as an application running on your desktop or laptop. In web-based ASP applications, the user experience becomes limited because, among other reasons, you cannot open multiple screens at once. Generally, any application can be presented as a web based application, but in doing so, you have to cut down or water down its features so that it fits inside the browser. This limits its functionality and its input/output capabilities.  From browsing the internet, you may already know that a typical browser page has a limited data flow, such as not allowing you access to several functions, or do multitasking by viewing multiple windows at one time.  This is why ClaimTek offers you the two best ways to run the software: either locally or via an ASP server where the full functionality is at your finger tips. 

Overall, the best way to decide on software is to take a look at the depth of its functionality and features. As there are many different specialties with specific needs, look for software with the best functionality not the concept of web-based / desktop or server-based. Test-drive every application yourself. Do not be sold on convenience while the program itself is poor. For the future of your business, look for versatility, ability to handle billing for all specialties, robust database engine, strong reporting, multiple patient statements options, multiple clearinghouse options, modernity, ease-of-use....etc.

Please refer to the table below for side-by-side comparison chart for all of the three methods that applications can be accessed: (1) Local, (2) Server-based ASP and (3)  Web-based ASP. Also, refer to the analysis below this table for more detailed information. 

Here are 10 points that explain why web-based ASP model accessed through a browser may not be the best choice for your business.

     1) Web-Based Applications Offer Limited User Interface (UI) and Screen Access:  In a busy billing service, it is essential for the user (you and future employees) to be able to open several screens at once or “multi-task” (i.e. running reports while posting payments, looking up a patient chart while working on another patient or while entering claims. You could be working away entering new patients when you receive a call from an insurance company in response to an inquiry you placed earlier. You need the ability to jump to different screens at once to look up the information without interrupting your existing work flow. Medical billers are used to fast keyboarding and jumping between screens. This vital role of Windows applications is eliminated in web-based systems. Web-based applications today restrict access to deeper parts of their program. Desktop or server-based applications provide user-rich interface that allows the user to access any part of the system simultaneously and quickly.

     2) Web-Based Applications Lack Versatile Billing Functionalities: As a professional medical billing service it is critical that your main medical billing software is capable of handling the billing functions for all or most specialties in a quick and efficient manner. The majority of internet-based medical billing software systems handle the billing using only the main CMS-1500 insurance form. It is vital to your success that your software is also capable of processing other essential insurance forms like the CMS-1450 (also called Medicare “Part A” or UB-92 for hospital claims, and some uses for mental health, home health, and some types of physical therapy...etc) - Also DME billing (Durable Medical Equipment) & Dental billing is essential as well as a host of other specialties. This is important to keep in mind when deciding on purchasing software . When you start your marketing campaign you are not usually able to predict what specialty you may sign up first. If your software is limited, this may make your company appear restricted in its scope of services. To maximize your chances of success, you need to be able to offer comprehensive services. For example, if you do not have a capable system and happen to get a referral from an existing client for a specialty in need of such expanded billing functionality you’ll have to turn away a potential client and miss out on a new revenue opportunity. You’re in business to satisfy needs and make money! You need to be ready to accept all clients.

     3) Performance & Speed: Web-based applications are impacted by several factors beyond your control that can result in slow data entry or interruptions: Internet connection from your ISP (Internet Service Provider, the hosting company ISP, or slow traffic on the internet…etc. If the system goes down, you have no control except to sit and wait until the hosting company addresses the issue. A great deal of your business reputation and success lies in the hands of others.

     4) Security: While security on the web is becoming more enhanced, you still hear of serious security breaches in major institutions including banks! Information on the web is still not as secure as it needs to be. If you do not mind it yourself, you’ll find that many of your potential doctor-clients would. Most healthcare providers are not yet comfortable with their records online. Whatever system you wish to use, look for HIPAA compliancy. Many web-based systems may not be fully compliant. Contact us to learn how to inspect for HIPAA compliancy. Our MedOffice software is fully HIPAA & NPI compliant.

     5) Data Backups - No Peace of Mind! With web-based applications you simply do not have control of your data. While the hosting company may have backup measures in place, you cannot backup anytime you want or have the data in your own local possession.  If the company suddenly shuts down, what would happen to your data? The best a company can do is to provide you the data in raw format on CD (usually for a price). But what would you do with it? How can you convert it into another system? This is an area of deep dark waters.

     6) On-Going Fees & Restricted Options for Claims and Patient Statement Processing: Web-based applications typically process claims and patient statements through their own servers and charge you transaction fees. This is how the company mainly makes its money. It is a good business model for the company but this factor restricts your ability to choose a different clearinghouse if you do not like their service. To our knowledge some competitors charge 75 cent per transaction! With ClaimTek’s MedOffice® software you can submit your claims to any clearinghouse you wish. We recommend several clearinghouses but you are not limited to them. One of the newer clearinghouses that we just tested and approved is FREE of charges!

Another significant point to keep in mind is that fees with a web-based company may go up and you’ll have no choice but to pay. When you have no choices, you’re not in control of your business. Remember, you’ll be in this relationship for the long haul. You need independence, flexibility and control as you grow your business. Isn’t this one of the main reasons you plan to start your own business anyway?

     7) Additional Fees as You Expand Your Business: With web-based applications, you'll incur additional costs as you add new clients and create new accounts (databases) to your growing business. Our MedOffice® software allows you to create multiple databases at no charge.

     8) Limited Customizability: Many necessary functions may not be accessible or customizable by the end-user in web-based applications (i.e. custom patient statements, custom reports, data import and export, data-transfer from one database to another or exporting reports in several formats to PDF, Excel, Access, RTF...etc.). Our MedOffice® system gives you full control!

     9) Integration with Other Applications: Web-based applications do not allow integration with other systems like QuickBooks for accounting, Outlook for email or Electronic Medical Records (EMR) like MediNotes or others. All of these enhanced functions are available in our MedOffice® software!

     10) Web-Based Systems Do Not Offer Lucrative Software Resale Opportunity: Selling software (like MedOffice®) to doctors who insist on handling their own billing for the time being remains an important function of your practice management and billing services. Why not satisfy all needs? While presenting your services, might as well cover all angles! Remember that you are trying to build relationships with healthcare providers. Selling software as an option helps you in that regard. This way you maintain professional business relationships with your client. Besides being a lucrative area, you may be able to convert such relationship down the road into a billing client. Sooner or later healthcare providers suffer from instability in the staffing area and may look to outsource. Typically, you’ll be the first to know about it. Your startup medical billing business from home or small office will naturally progress towards this stage (software sales & training) once you are established and have gained good working knowledge of the system and the medical industry in general. It is an option that's worth having. Web-based systems do not offer you significant potential in this arena.

The idea promoted by internet-based companies that web-based applications save you the cost of hardware upgrades and maintenance seem appealing to some. However, if you study this area you'll realize that it is not as robust as it needs to be as of yet. It is going to take many years. ClaimTek recognizes the potential power of the web in general. However, we do not wish to promote applications based on the convenience of part of its functionality. It is not in our clients’ best interest. We do not recommend buying software based on “concept only”. Study its full potential from features and capabilities to ease of navigation, flexibility, versatility…etc.  Ask for a real demo and work with it on your own for a few days then ask questions. Medical billing requires sophisticated software capable of handling intricate details. ClaimTek keeps up with the latest technologies and plans to offer a robust web-based option only when it is up-to-standards. Another important point to consider is that hardware today is highly reliable and not a major investment factor anymore. Great computers today cost a few hundred dollars! Advanced desktop-based and Client/Server applications like MedOffice® offer more technological solutions for professional medical billing services. If you need the flexibility of remote access, it is easily possible with MedOffice®. With a dedicated server, you could arrange remote access for you and your doctor-clients from anywhere in the world similar to an ASP model (web-based) while enjoying full program accessibility, versatility and control. You can assign permissions for each user to access full or part of the program as needed.

We hope this explains the depth associated with buying medical billing software for your business. Please give us a call to learn more! (800) 224-7450.