How to Improve the DNFB Benchmark for a Positive Impact on Revenue Cycle
How to Improve the DNFB Benchmark for a Positive Impact on Your Revenue Cycle
One of the biggest revenue-killers for healthcare providers is DNFB accounts. DNFB (DNFB meaning “discharged, not final billed”) – defines unbilled accounts where the healthcare facility has discharged the patient, but the facilty has not submitted final bill from the encounter. Several factors can cause an increase in DNFB reports; this could include factors such as not enough qualified coders, a holdup during pre-bill audit reviews, or an inefficient internal review system (HealthLeaders Media, 2013). Get in touch with YES HIM Consulting today. Our consulting, coder education, and denials remediation services can help your organization increase its cash flow and set the revenue cycle back on track.
An account may be labeled as DNFB because coding has not been completed, it is still awaiting charges, there is no corresponding charge, or it has been rejected during editing (HealthLeaders Media, 2013). As a result, the cost effects of outstanding DNFB accounts and claims denials are staggering. They can also negatively impact the providers’ cashflow and potential net revenue. So, what are the best practices to reduce DNFB days and claims denials?
How can you improve DNFB?
You can improve DNFB through detailed analytics and experienced healthcare coding consultants. These are vital to improving the amount of DNFB reports your organization outputs. With all our clients, YES provides the ability to customize project management and services specifically tailored to the client’s needs. As skilled consultants, YES provides insights in the form of trending reports and analyses. We also provide direction and support to bridge the gap from DNFB to reimbursement.
Decreased claims denials will also positively affect your organization’s cash flow and revenue cycle benchmarking. YES’ denial remediation solutions have helped clients recover 96% of denied claims on average. Additionally, an average of $1.7 million in front-end edits are worked monthly per client. $2.8 million denial rejections are worked monthly per client.
Key steps to take
Harness the power of data analytics and analysis. One of the first steps toward decreasing DNFB days and realizing true ROI includes investing in a comprehensive auditing program; one that will deliver detailed reports on outliers that impact coding accuracy, revenue, and data quality. Receive real-time feedback and recommendations on areas that need improvement with one of the YES data-driven query programs.
Enhance documentation and coding accuracy to prevent medical claims denials. YES’ coders maintain an overall accuracy standard of 95%; this is the highest in the industry. Coders should effectively manage patient claims data to prevent denials and ensure reimbursement. Medical claims denials need to be correctly measured, categorized, and organized for efficient analysis; and to avoid similar mistakes in the future. With YES’ support, your organization can streamline your documentation and claims denials remediation process.
Maintain a comprehensive, practical continued education plan for coding teams. Keep your coders at the top of their field with a cutting-edge education program from YES. Industry experts with 20+ years’ experience in HIM have developed these programs. Our education portfolio also includes assessments with real-time feedback, CEU certificates, online webinars, on-site workshops, group mentoring sessions, and one-on-one coder coaching. In addition, ongoing education ensures coders maintain accuracy standards and compliance. Webinar course topics are always evolving to the hottest medical coding topics. Review our Education Catalog for the latest courses on the medical coding updates, like coding COVID-19 and telehealth.
Recommendations for next steps. Get in touch with YES HIM Consulting today. Our consulting, coder education, and denials remediation services can help your organization increase its cashflow and set the revenue cycle back on track.
