What is Global Billing?

Global billing in healthcare refers to a billing system where a healthcare provider submits a single bill or invoice to a patient or a third-party payer. This single bill is for all the services and resources provided during one period of care or treatment. 

This approach is in contrast to itemized billing, where each service or item is billed separately. Global billing is commonly associated with certain types of medical procedures, such as surgeries and maternity care. 

The Benefits of Global Billing

Global billing has benefits for both healthcare providers and patients. This billing approach makes it easier for healthcare providers to manage invoicing and payments, and it helps patients understand their portion of responsibility.

Some of the advantages of global billing include:

• Simplified billing: Global billing consolidates multiple charges into a single invoice or claim, making the billing process more straightforward and less confusing for both patients and healthcare providers. This reduces administrative overhead and paperwork.

• Cost transparency: Patients can see the total cost of an episode of care upfront, which promotes transparency and helps patients plan for their healthcare expenses.

• Predictable costs: Global billing often involves fixed or bundled payments, which means that patients and insurers have a more predictable idea of the overall cost of care. This can be especially helpful for budgeting and financial planning.

• Reduced administrative burden: For healthcare providers, global billing can streamline their administrative processes, reducing the need for billing staff to manage and track numerous individual charges. This can lead to cost savings for healthcare organizations.

• Coordinated care: Global billing encourages better coordination among different healthcare providers involved in an episode of care, such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, and post-operative care teams. This coordination can improve patient outcomes.

• Patient satisfaction: Patients may find global billing more convenient and less stressful than dealing with multiple separate bills for various aspects of their care. This can lead to higher patient satisfaction levels.

What to Consider With Global Billing

While global billing can offer advantages, it also requires careful coordination and adherence to billing guidelines to ensure that the billing process accurately reflects the care provided and complies with regulatory requirements. Healthcare providers should encourage patients to always review their bills and seek clarification if they have any questions or concerns about the charges included in a global bill.

Improve Your Healthcare Billing Process with TempDev

Even though the process of global billing helps reduce the burden of healthcare administration, you still face significant industry challenges, such as managing denial rates, quality metrics, and reimbursements. 

TempDev is here to help you through all of that with custom, flat-rate solutions that help you manage payment posting, claims management, accounts receivable, and more. Our expert implementation team offers NextGen services, solutions, and consulting to optimize your billing process and keep your patients (and staff) happy. Check out our NextGen EPM consulting to learn more!