A common concern for dental offices today is staffing issues. Whether they can’t afford a sizable support staff or simply can’t find them, dentists are struggling with staffing. When this occurs, it may be time to think outside the box. Instead of frequenting job boards or soliciting staffing agencies, alternative options, such as remote dental billing, should be considered. Remote dental billing is a viable option to overcome staffing challenges, offering multiple advantages outlined below.
Hiring and maintaining an in-house dental biller can be expensive. The median salary for a dental biller, according to salary.com, is $43,422. This, along with benefits, payroll taxes, and other overhead costs, can cause expenses to add up significantly. Staff turnover comes with additional expenses, including recruitment and training costs. When hiring a new employee, there are also several billing hours lost during the hiring process and subsequent training. Remote dental billing services often come at a considerably lower cost, providing a cost-effective alternative. For instance, at eAssist, our monthly plans start as low as $1,377, allowing dental practices to reinvest their savings back into the business.
There’s a misconception that when hiring remote dental billers they will be working overseas and will not have experience with U.S. dental care and coverage. This is not necessarily the case as many remote billing companies employ experienced, U.S.-based billers who are well-versed in dental terminology, CDT codes, and current insurance requirements. These billers often have extensive experience with various dental software programs and are valuable assets to the offices they serve. At eAssist, our Success Consultants are highly skilled U.S.-based professionals who are leaders in their field.
Remote dental billers work offsite and are not faced with the distractions of a busy office environment, allowing them to focus solely on billing. Though they work outside the office, they are easily accessible via email and phone. They are dedicated to assisting dental offices with their billing needs, ensuring a streamlined and distraction-free process. At eAssist, our partner offices receive daily reports detailing the work completed, helping them stay on top of production and collections.
Remote dental billing lightens the workload of in-house staff, freeing them from the many tasks that it requires. With dental billing off their plate, office staff can prioritize what matters most — providing exceptional patient care. This increased focus on the patient creates opportunities for dental offices to thrive and grow.
By considering the cost-saving benefits, access to expertise, reduced distractions, and enhanced patient focus, remote dental billing may be the key to overcoming your staffing woes. Rather than repeatedly going through the process of hiring and training, partner with a remote dental billing provider, such as eAssist to handle all your billing needs. At eAssist, our Success Consultants work as a highly knowledgeable extension of your team without the added expense of hiring a new team member. To learn more, schedule a free consultation here.
Written by Penny Reed Penny Reed is the Chief Growth Officer at eAssist Dental Solutions, and the author of the book, Growing Your Dental Business. Penny was recruited by her own dentist to run his growing practice, after spending two years as an IT manager with the Walmart Corporation. Penny has over 30 years of experience as a speaker and dental business coach and has been designated a Leader in Dental Consulting by Dentistry Today from 2007 to present. She is a certified “Behavioral Consultant” through the Institute for Motivational Living, and a former Dale Carnegie Trainer. Penny is the executive team support for the marketing department at eAssist, the nation’s leader in outsourced dental billing. She speaks at dental meetings about team coachability, effective revenue cycle management, and practice growth. Penny is a member of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants, The Speaking and Consulting Network, and a Speaking/Consulting member of the American Association of Dental Office Management.