When making your choice between using a mega-platform and billing/credentialing services. Ready for the onslaught? Four infographics of minor differences, starting now.
One thing to keep in mind: the platform entities aren’t all the same. Not every feature listed on the “platform” side of these infographics will necessarily be true of all mega-platforms.
I present these differences because, while it’s exciting to have more choices for managing private practice than in past decades, it doesn’t mean clinicians should leap before they look.
More minor differences, # 2:
I’ll keep going. In fact, I’m only halfway through.
The fourth and final infographic:
I probably could have come up with a fifth infographic, but then I’d have had to think. Listing these minor differences took about 5 minutes on a Word document while on hold one day. And then an hour (or more) with Canva. I’m not great with the tech stuff…
The intent here isn’t to judge, or for you to feel ashamed or defensive if you use a platform. In fact, probably half the clinicians I work with do use one. The fact that the platforms expedite credentialing and contracting, especially, is a great way for professionals to start a practice more quickly than they might be able to, otherwise.
With that said, my goal here and in A Biller’s Perspective has been to help you examine the whole picture and clarify your choices. Barbara Griswold provides an excellent, comprehensive list of questions to ask and issues to investigate during the “due diligence” phase of evaluating whether you want to work with one or more of the platforms.
You have tough decisions to make if you’re starting a practice! And I’m here to help you learn about private practice when taking insurance. With or without the mega-platforms.
Next time – back to “Death by 1,000 Cuts,” where I’ll be exploring the numerous frustrations involved in electronic data interchange enrollment. Fun stuff, right?!
Want more discussion on this topic? I’ll be discussing the platforms TOMORROW with Sarah O’Brien, LCSW, Thursday, May 29th, at 8am pacific/11am eastern on The Healing Hour podcast.
Or check it out on YouTube afterwards!
