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Medical Billing and Practice Management Software: Luxury or Necessity?

Many of us remember the time when you showed up at the doctor's office and he took care of you right away and told you to just pay when you are ready or that he would settle up with you at some later time. Those days ended when medical cost rose to the unbelievably high level they are now. It is for this reason many of us have taken to using insurance and doctors have been forced to fight for their hard earned dollar from the insurance companies. To the majority of the public the use and for that matter the need for medical practice software and medical billing software is invisible. TO the doctors that use them they are an invaluable resource which not only allows them to organize their practice from top to bottom, but allows them to keep their billing paid in a timely fashion which keeps their business afloat.

Medical software is a daunting topic to medical personnel the world over but it is one that must be recognized, discussed and implemented. It is this necessity that leads me to put this article together for those of you in the market for medical billing or practice management software.

When looking to buy medical practice management software there are a few really important details to consider. THe first is to make sure that the software going to be secure? Be certain that the individuals using the software are aware of the security measures that are in place and that they understand how to use them effectively. An added tip is that when dealing with passwords they should be memorized or kept under lock and key and not simply placed on a post-it note to the front of their computer.

The second is to make sure the software allows you to manipulate information. Learn if you are you going to be able to move the data in the software around? Find out how easy it will be to export or import information once the system is on line.

When going over a number of software choices it is easiest to evaluate them with a simple test that you can make up so that you get a real and fair comparison. Mock up a scenario that covers all of your basic office tasks and execute it on each piece of billing software.

The more you test the practice software in real life scenarios the better of an idea you will have of how it will work once you spend a lot of money and get it implemented in your practice. Medical billing and practice management software can be a complex area so stay organized and take it slow to be sure you are doing the right thing to ensure the success of your practice be it medical or otherwise.

Jason Montag
http://www.medbillingsoftware.info

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Debt and Bill Consolidation Provides You Peace in Chaotic Finances

The expenses, genuine or not are very hard to contain, result being a number of debts and various unpaid bills all with various rates and fines. So what do we do to counterfoil them? Where do we seek asylum? Debt and bill consolidation have been designed to wipe out these problems in one stroke. These loans provide amount to clear all the debts and unpaid bills like electricity bills, phone bills or our credit card bills.

A debt and bill consolidation comes both in secured as well as unsecured formats. We need to pledge collateral for secured but none is required while opting for unsecured one. Involvement of collateral comes with many relaxations concerning amount and rates when secured kind of loans are procured. The amount in this case depends on the equity of property and rates are lower compared to unsecured ones.

The valuation of property may take some time which is said in cases of unsecured loans. One more thing to be noticed are repayments which when practiced with sincerity bodes well for future but any discrepancies may lead to forfeiture of the collateral in question (secured form) or hampering the credit ratings.

These loans are impeccably designed to take care of multiple debts and pending bills. This way we save in lot of money which would have been channelized in paying higher rates or fines subsequently. Not only this, a debt and bill consolidation effectively pulls us out from the brinks of bankruptcy which is not a comfortable situation to be in. Moreover we are also saved from the legal notices and embarrassing calls from the lenders as we are now answerable to a single lender.

We should be in a regular employment with a sound ability to repay, to be eligible to borrow the loan disposed under debt and bill consolidation. Having a poor credit is not a big issue and we can still the loan though rates are increased. So another reason too cheers up.

We can avail a debt and bill consolidation anywhere either physical or online market. Online is quite comfortable medium as we can secure the amount without any personal visits as such. This way we save time and some money as well.

Summary

Debt and bill consolidation means wrapping all the unclear debts and bills into a single loan. This helps in organizing the repayments and enhancing our ability to meet times when repaying installments are concerned. Not only this, we save a substantial amount in the long run.

Alec Reece has a way with dealing with loans for a long time. Writing articles is just a way to extend this to consumers and provide empowerment through information. All you have to do is read. To find bad debt management, advice debt management consolidation, debt management uk, credit card debt management visit http://www.ezdebtmanagement.co.uk

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Don't Be Cheated on Your Phone Bills - Make Sure the Phone Company is Not a Silent Pickpocket

Managing telecom costs and negotiating the best rates you can is an important part of managing your business. You can do this in a more effective way by understanding your charges and making sure they are accurate. With the complex billing and packages that are offered in today's competitive communications market it is a task that some do not spend the time doing and pay unnecessary charges.

Make sure when you sign your contract with your carrier on a landline setup you get an equipment record whenever you place an order that clearly spells out the equipment, its cost, and the monthly transaction and toll charges. Cellular bills and plans have not been easy to decipher so get a written contract and check you bill for compliance. Oft times carriers will add new fees you were not paying and may be in addition to your contract.

With the cost of long distance dropping be sure you are getting the accurate and best rate for your volume of calls and that if you switch carriers for the long distance, all previous carriers have been taken off the service. Most new calling plans have special rates for outside the normal calling times, or areas. By verifying these calls at a glance you will also discover charges for services not requested and added quietly when a bundle was changed.

When phone company bills get paid automatically without review you could be losing hundreds of dollars which may better be spent or contribute to improving the bottom line. Insist on a manager being responsible and doing an audit at least twice a year. Mobile and landline carriers have gained a reputation of waiting until the customer calls to complain and then reversing the charges. Hidden fees are common and are usually explained by "mistakes in billing".

When I managed one $18,000.00 monthly telephone bill I found lines that were never ordered, never used, and paid for for months on end. It pays to be vigilant.

For more tips and tactics on business telecommunication management go to http://www.2bigtelecomguys.com

Jeff Brodie and I do our best to keep you up to date on the latest trends and help you optimize your business communications costs for telephone,internet and other technology.

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Avoid Debt Management Scams

Anyone who has paid attention to the mounting credit card crisis afflicting modern Americans should not be surprised by the sudden explosion of debt management firms in the last decade. The debt management industry has grown exponentially over the past few years, assisting any number of borrowers with their financial burdens, but, as with any new business that concerns itself with debt and credit cards, a breed of predatory debt service 'professionals' seek only to exploit the economically desperate households by promising savings they could never deliver and sometimes even defrauding them altogether. Scam artists are an unfortunate consequence of any profession, and the debt relief industry is no better or worse. However, since word of mouth and a reputation for honesty and competence can make or break a company - especially a finance company - these nefarious loan workers don't last long. However, just in case you're unlucky enough to meet one of the less reputable debt management workers, here are a few tips to identify the worst sort.

Since debt consolidation loan programs are the most popular form of debt management, let's start with loan officers and how they can trick unwary homeowners into borrowing more than would be advisable upon their property. Essentially, this sort of debt consolidation depends upon home equity. Credit ratings (above 700 FICO scores, ideally), debt to income ratios (less than forty percent of gross months income should go to home mortgage payments and revolving debt payments), and employment histories (clients most likely to be approved should have worked the same job for two years as provable by W-2 tax returns) are, of course, important. However, the most important element for mortgage debt consolidation will be the amount of home equity the homeowner currently enjoys.

Now, not only is home equity a tricky subject at present with property values falling all over America, but this drop in values is largely the fault of mortgage companies themselves. With an absence of regulation somewhat absurd in retrospect, criminally negligent loan officers and mortgage brokers (together with processors that looked the other way and appraisers that exponentially bumped up home values) gave loans to borrowers that should never have deserved them. The resulting mortgages proved more than the homeowners could possibly afford, and the glut of foreclosures (which should have been expected) drove down home prices which only worsened the potential refinance and debt management solutions homeowners would ordinarily presume to be available. Furthermore, these same foreclosures cost the original mortgage lenders (within a debt industry dependant upon constant cash flow for their bottom line) tens of millions of dollars and a previously inexplicable number of mortgage companies simply faded away. Though many of these businesses deserved to go under, the sudden failure of so many mortgage companies had a dire effect upon the American economy and our newly skyrocketing unemployment is but one consequence.

This is not to say that all of the mortgage refinance options are to be avoided. While it is much harder to take out a mortgage loan under current conditions, some homeowners - facing adjustable rates or balloon payments - simply have no choice. On the other hand, it is NOT necessary for them to include their credit card debts within their refinance no matter what the more aggressive loan officers would try to convince them of. Home mortgage refinancing is a form of debt management, of course, and making sure that what will be the average American consumer's largest lifetime debt falls under acceptable (and formally fixed) interest rates should be of the utmost priority. However, what trustworthy mortgage professionals will explain is that the longer the term the more money you pay with even a locked prime interest rate. That's just the way compound interest works. For that reason, mortgage professionals attempting to explain debt management should do whatever it takes to make borrowers have the lowest terms that would be comfortable for their household budget.

Not, you understand, that they should try to find the lowest payments for borrowers (obviously, it would be rather the opposite), but rather the fewest payments that they would have to pay over the course of the loan. A fifteen year term, if applicable, should be advised before the thirty, and biweekly payment programs that add up to essentially thirteen months of payments every year with accompanying years off the loan pay-off should also be strenuously encouraged. Perhaps most importantly, the loan officers should always ensure that the lender did not include some provisions against early pay-offs. Prepayment penalties, though technically legal, are the most underhanded strategies of less than trustworthy mortgage brokers. Anyone who tries to force through a prepayment penalty on unsuspecting homeowners or tries to convince them of the merits - often they'll knock a few hundred dollars off the loan fees - should be avoided no matter their (evidently overstated reputation).

While all of this should be fully recognized by homeowners before they start talks with any mortgage lender or broker, your authors are aware that debt management this day and age primarily concerns itself with credit card debts. There are many other sorts of financial burdens for consumers to worry about, but the average American's greatest worry tends to be the overload of credit card bills. Student loans, for example, generally boast the lowest interest rates of all types of debts. Hospitals and insurance companies, whatever their public perception, regularly work with their debtor clients to make sure that their medical bills are not an undue burden, even offering stays of payment. Auto loans, it is true, sometimes have higher interest rates, but they're still rarely above those offered from mortgage loans or home equity loans. Nevertheless, even if there is a significant different between the interest rates (and, for credit card debts, there is almost always a steep drop once consolidated), the smart borrower has to remember the effects of compound interest. It is easy to see why loan officers would try to sugar coat the debt consolidation program, their pay is based around the overall size of the loans that are refinanced or taken out, but that is no reason to willfully ignore the borrowers' true needs.

Not to belabor the point, but the worst suggestion that an unscrupulous loan officers can inflict upon their homeowner clients would be advising them to throw their credit cards debts onto a mortgage consolidation lasting decades. This is not debt management, this is debt avoidance. Borrowers will find that they are still paying their debts, but, after the interest continues to multiply, they will be paying their debts many times over. Worse still - especially in these trying times - homeowners are surrendering their ever more precious equity for only a temporary fix. Credit scores will fall from the sudden amount of credit card accounts now open, and, more to the point, how many consumers, once they have moved their debts over to a different loan source, would be able to resist the temptation to revisit their former spending habits and once again rack up bills through thoughtless purchasing. The key to any true and lasting debt management must be the debt professional working with the consumer to actually pay off their debts! Simply moving them to an equity loan that, for the moment, lowers their payments (however much longer and how much more they will inevitably pay) does nothing to assist the borrowers' long term financial stability. Any viable program for debt relief must concentrate not only upon education to prevent such debt from occurring in the future but on actually eliminating the borrowers' debts!

There are many other varieties of debt management, of course - not all debtors, after all, own their own homes. Consumer Credit Counseling companies have been exploding in popularity of late, but they contain their own string of suspicious activities each consumer must keep an eye out for. Since the industry does not tend to care so highly for certification, they attract more than their share of con artists and shady 'corporations'. For this reason, borrowers must be incredibly diligent when investigating the bonafides of any business that they consider dealing with. Do not be fooled by flashy web sites or nice offices in well regarded areas. Debt management is about the people that you work with and many of the best debt professionals and debt management films, working in such a new industry, will not spend the time or money on advertisements while trying to make their way through a career or business with the best of motives.

Once again, though, even for those Consumer Credit Counseling companies that actually are legitimate, so much of the industry still depends upon credit card conglomerates (the very creditors that your debt management representatives are ostensibly fighting against) for half of their payments. Have you ever wondered why there are so very many Consumer Credit Counseling commercials on the television urging unsuspecting debtors to take a change at easing their financial burdens? As it turns out, above and beyond the sky high fees initially charged to the debtor clients themselves, the CCC firms get even more money from the various lenders. It is all part of a ploy by the credit card companies to prevent borrowers from attempting to declare bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection has been greatly lessened over the last few years of an unfettered congressional deregulation, but the option does still attract a number of desperate debtors, and, though the chances are slim to none under the newest changes to the bankruptcy code statutes, some may have even have a chance to successfully wipe clean their unsecured debts (though it would also mean basically erasing the entirety of their possessions).

Because Chapter 7 bankruptcies do still remain a threat to their eventual bill collection, the credit card companies help fund the Consumer Credit Counseling companies so as to convince hapless borrowers to maintain and try to repay their loans, albeit in a different form. There are benefits to signing up with the program, to be sure. Interest rates are lower (not that they could actually be higher) and many of the creditors will agree to waive some of the fees assessed from over limit accounts or payments that arrived too late. However, considering the amount of money Consumer Credit Counseling professionals would charge for the opportunity - and, also, keeping in mind how damaging the Consumer Credit Counseling approach would be to the prospective client's credit ratings once entered - most every applicant should be able to search out a better route to debt management success.

Debt settlement is another form of debt management rising in publicity the past few years, and these types of companies have many similar features to Consumer Credit Counseling firms. Both industries, after all, ask borrowers to sign over their collected debts (once again, primarily those unsecured ones which would be affected by bankruptcy protection). The debt settlement industry, however, does have a national certification program with which borrowers may rely upon to ensure that the people that they are dealing with could be properly trusted. Furthermore, since the underlying principles behind debt settlement thoroughly guarantees that there will be no collusion between the debt management professionals and the credit card companies, consumers do not have to worry about their counselors serving two masters. With debt settlement, the specialists working upon the specific case maintain an adversarial (though, as you'd imagine, still friendly for business purposes) relationship with the credit card companies so as to negotiate a reduction of their clients' total balances. The debt settlement representatives have no reason to ever do anything more than work for the debtors' best interests. That's the only way their careers and the industry as a whole will survive and thrive within the new economic realities.

No matter the foundations of the debt settlement industry's guiding principles, however, there still exists (as always will, with any possible employment opportunity) desperate scavengers aiming to take advantage of their clients' ignorance and neediness regarding complicated financial matters. As we have said, these few practitioners of economic scams are found sooner rather than later and let go, but borrowers must always be wary of any debt management specialist that insists upon his or her fees paid up front. Initial consultations, by industry standard, should always be free of charge. They are, after all, trying to impress the clients with their professionalism so as to win their business, and it is highly suspicious that they would ask for money before they have even begun to do their job. Debt management must garner the trust of both the debtors and the creditors. Do not take the advice of anyone that you believe would be purely out for the quick buck.

For that matter, there are also any number of less than legal financial ploys that may sound like normal business practices but, in actuality, would leave the borrower open to charges of fraud. In the same way the malfeasant loan officers may urge homeowners to go with appraisers promising to pump up home values to tens of thousands of dollars more than the properties are actually worth or fool with pay stubs and tax records to suggest greater gross incomes than the true earnings, some debt management professionals might even advice that their client ask for a different Employee Identification Number. The purpose of altering Employee Identification Numbers is purely to trick lenders into disregarding credit report information and would be thought of as highly fraudulent behavior punishable by the fullest extent of the law. Before signing off on any such activity, make sure that you contact an attorney or - at the least - read up on the consequences of such actions. Whatever minimal savings may result from these sort of tactics are hardly worth the legal struggles that may ensue.

All of these warnings are not meant to turn prospective borrowers away from the good that proper and law abiding debt management counselors could do for household dearly in need of debt relief. The overwhelming majority of specialists working in these fields obey the strict letter of the law and, even beyond that, the specific rules of their chosen field. Most debt professionals enter the industry because they enjoy helping borrowers climb through the thickets of debts and find a better life for themselves and their families. Do not assume, just because of a few bad apples, that debt management specialists should be considered suspicious solely because of the nature of their work. As with any profession - from mechanics to congressmen - there are always bound to be a few brigands only out for themselves, but, with careful study of their company and a close reading of precisely what they are attempting to do, it is not that difficult to figure out which ones you should trust.

For more information on debt settlement or if you need immediate debt help please visit http://www.debtrelief.us.com Use the debt calculator to see how much debt you can eliminate.

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Medical Billing Systems - Proving Ideal For Healthcare Professionals

Medical practitioners today are becoming increasingly stressed by the ever changing requirements for medical billing by health insurance companies. This results in delayed and sometimes denied payments. Complicated paperwork and medical billing requirements tends to take away the focus of the practitioner from providing quality healthcare to patients to managing bills, reimbursements and office administration.

To alleviate this situation, healthcare professionals are now turning to practice management software systems to help them manage better and cope with the increased paperwork. On several occasions it has been seen that the medical establishment chooses to completely outsource its medical billing processes to professional third party service providers, who provide practice management and electronic medical records services on demand for a fee. These service providers are a big advantage to medical staff because they help them to focus on their jobs instead of administration.

For the purposes of clarity on medical billing claim payments, healthcare providers should have complete understanding of different plans offered by healthcare insurance companies, local laws and government regulations.

Medical billing systems incorporate modules that can be customized to specific needs. For instance, in the case of specific healthcare establishment that may want to tune its billing to the health insurance company's requirements it most frequently deals with, the customization is done. These will also be tweaked to ensure that all paperwork is done according to government regulations. This is critical because the practice management system not only saves time, but also prevents the healthcare professional or establishment from undue judicial processes and potential litigation.

Electronic medical records software systems help healthcare establishments manage clinical, financial and administrative functions. Integrated billing, patient check in/out, insurance claim submission and assisted decision making through a treatment plan recommendations and report generation are a few salient features of a typical electronic medical records system.

Medical Billing systems provide a single window integrated billing and management capability to increase efficiencies, productivity and profitability to any healthcare provider.

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Must Read for Future Property Owners-Managers of Apartment Buildings

Owning/managing the property.

Now you have the property. Next step is to decide if you want to manage the property your self, or hire a property management company. If you want to manage the property your self, you should get training from your local apartment association. They have classes to help you. Also, you should read on property management. Don't just jump in and start being a land lord and not know what you are getting your self into, and what demands/requirements are needed.

If you decide the you would like to get a property management they will take 5-10% leasing commission of annual rents. I suggest that you go to http://www.irem.org and find a property management company in your area. Once you have selected a group to call, ask them the following questions (or you can go to their web site and find answers to the questions below):

o How long have you been in business?

o What professional designations do you hold?

o What continuing education programs do you offer your employees?

o Can you call existing clients of theirs?

o What software do you use for managing property and why?

o Can you get a sample management agreement to review?

o What costs are included in the agreement and what is extra?

o How many employees?

o Who will be the main contact? How long have they been with the company?

o What cost saving techniques do you use?

Once you find a property management company, sign them for a 120 day contract to see how they perform. Assign maintenance issue on one of three levels of importance:

1. things that have to be done

2. things that should be done

3. those things that would be nice to have done

Once you find a property management, have the both of you brainstorm and ask figure out, "If some one were to buy your property today, what changes do we think they would make in the first 60 days"?

As soon as you control the property try to get a Cost Segregation Study.

Cost Segregation

The IRS has a ruling that allows commercial-property-owners to increase the amount of accelerated depreciation allowed in a tax year. These savings extend back to property acquired after 1986, and they apply to new or future construction. They also extend to existing buildings under renovation, expansion and leasehold improvements, as well as to property about to be acquired. It can also be used for financial accounting, insurance and property tax purposes. The primary goal of a cost segregation study is to identify all construction-related costs that qualify for accelerated income tax depreciation. Cost segregation is not a tax shelter and it is not tax evasion.

To get the benefits, you must get a "study"

A cost-segregation study analyzes taxes and costs incurred to acquire, build or renovate commercial real estate. Experts/CPA's conduct these services. They break down the cost for the accelerated income-tax schedules. To qualify for a cost-segregation study, property-owners must be taxpayers or must intend to pay taxes. They must also operate as a for-profit entity.

Study costs can range from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on the property's size and complexity. In many cases, however, the benefits outweigh the fees.

These benefits of a Cost Segregation Study, can free up money used for other investments, paying down debt or making capital improvements. If you are interested in this study contact me and I will put in you touch with a credible company that can analyze your situation.

Advantages:

o Considerable return on investments property that do not need to be insured.

o Increased tax deductions for depreciation and reduces taxable income.

o Opportunity to correct misclassified assets and claim "catch-up" tax deductions.

o Ability to achieve faster building and acquisition cost write offs.

o Reduction in insurance costs by identifying the components of the property that do not need to be insured.

o Determine personal property versus real property for write off versus capitalization prior to construction. This allows you to write off these items opposed to capitalizing the assets. This can provide you with huge tax benefits.

o Defers taxes on capital gain amounts until the property is sold.

o Reduces real estate property taxes.

o Reduces federal income tax and increases depreciation.

Running the show

Owning and operating an apartment, is no easy task. There are a lot of procedures on analyzing the property's functionality. When investing in apartments your priority may be one of the three: cash flow, appreciation or tax benefits. The great thing about apartments is that you can have "forced appreciation" by making changes to the property. Having an apartment is owning a business. So with any business, a way to increase revenue is to decrease expenses and to find more ways to earn more income. I have included some tips to benefit you as you attempt to maximize your investment on the building.

Expenses you can expect while owning an apartment:

o Legal services

o Tax preparation

o Office equipment and supplies

o Property management

o Maintenance

o Credit checks

o Advertising

o City business tax

o Property tax

o Insurance

o Capital improvements (big expenses)

o Eviction services

o Utilities

Having proper management in place is key to running a successful apartment property. Depending on your level of time, experience and energy having a property management company oversee the operations may be ideal. Especially if the complex is big. Smaller apartments tend to be managed by the owner (along with an on site manager). Regardless who does the actual work on the property, I have included here a variety of tips to get the maximum return out of your investment.

Fair Housing Rules prohibits discrimination on a variety of things from race, gender, age, disabilities (including mental and physical) marital status, sexual orientation etc. Anybody who deals with potential tenants must follow fair housing laws. This includes owners and property managers.

Be consistent when dealing with potential tenants. Set the same standards across the board. Such as, giving someone a pass, by lowering their security payment, or what you charge for late rent compared to other tenants.

Your rental/lease agreement sets the tone with your tenants. It is best to obtain a contract that a lawyer has written out because it is legal document. The rental/lease agreement should have the names of all adult tenants and they should all sign the rental/lease agreement. This makes each tenant legally responsible for all the terms and conditions. Should someone bail out with out paying rent, or someone violates a term, you can cancel their agreement and have them move.

Your agreement should clearly specify that the rental unit is the residence of only the tenants who have signed the lease and their minor children. This will probably not stop people from moving in with out your screening process, but what it will do, is keep people aware and cautious. They will know if you found out folks where living there with out your screening, they could be asked to move. Every rental document should state whether it is a rental agreement (month to month) or a fixed-term lease (usually it is yearly).

Your lease or rental agreement should specify the amount of rent, when it is due, where to send it and how it's to be paid (check, cashier check etc). For late fees, have when it is considered late and the amount of the fee. Also, have a fee for bounced checks.

The return of security deposits can generate problems. To avoid mistakes your agreement should have the dollar amount of the security deposit. In California, the maximum deposit allowed on an unfurnished property is not more than the amount of two months rent. The maximum deposit allowed on a furnished property is not more than the amount of three months rent. You may use the deposit for possible repairs. The contract with the tenant should state that they may not use it to apply for there last months rent. When they do move, you have to return their deposit in 21 days after they move (in California). If decide to take money out of their deposit when they leave, you will need a report showing the deductions on why.

Clearly set out you and the tenant's responsibilities for repair and maintenance in the lease or rental agreement:

o Their responsibility to keep the rental clean and to pay for any damage caused by his/her abuse or neglect.

o They should alert you of defective or dangerous conditions in the rental property.

o You provide tenants with your work procedure for handling complaints/repair/requests.

o Have restrictions on tenant alterations on their apartment with out your permission, such as adding appliances, painting, etc.

You should include a clause prohibiting disruptive behavior, such as excessive noise, and illegal activity, such as drug dealing.

If you do allow pets, you should identify any special restrictions, such as a limit on the size or number of pets or a requirement that the tenant will keep the yard free of all pet manure. Important rules and regulations covering parking and use of common areas should be mentioned too.

Stay on top of maintenance/repair needs. To avoid problems with tenants, you should make repairs to rental units as soon as you can. Major problems, such as a plumbing or heating problem, should be handled within 24 hours. Always keep tenants informed as to when and how the repairs will be made, and the reasons for any delays. If the property is not kept in good repair, tenants may gain the right to with hold rent, deduct the cost from the rent, sue for injuries caused by defective conditions, and/or move out without needing to give notice. Some situations tenants can sue for the discomfort/distress caused by the poor conditions.

Your local building or housing authority, and health or fire department, can provide information on local housing codes (and penalties for violations).

The following are things you can do to limit crime and reduce the risk that you would be found responsible if a criminal assault or robbery does occur:

o Meet/exceed all state and local security laws that apply to the property, such as requirements for deadbolt locks on doors, good lighting, and window locks.

o Provide a security system that provides reasonable protection for the tenants. To get advice speak with the police, your insurance company, and private security professionals.

o Educate tenants about crime prevention/safety.

o Conduct regular inspections to spot and fix any security problems, such as broken locks, swimming pool precautions or parking lights.

o Handle tenant complaints about dangerous situations, suspicious activities, or broken security items immediately.

o If additional security requires a rent hike, discuss the situation with your tenants. Many tenants will pay more for a safer place to live.

While some of these tactics may be expensive, the money you spend today on effective crime-prevention/safety will be much less if something bad did occur on your property.

Drug-dealing tenants can cause problems. If other tenants feel threatened, the authorities may give you heavy fines and may seek criminal penalties for knowingly letting the situation proceed.

To avoid trouble caused by criminal tenants and to limit your liability in any lawsuits that are filed: do a good job screening your tenants, don't accept cash rental payments, in the rental/lease agreement have it clear that you will evict tenants who deal drugs, get advice from the police on what to look out for.

If you were negligent in taking care of your property and that negligence caused an injury, you could be liable for damages. After all it was your responsibility to maintain the section of the property that caused the accident and if you failed to take steps to prevent the accident, your chances of getting a law suit are increased.

A tenant can file a personal injury lawsuit against your insurance company for medical bills, lost earnings, pain, permanent physical disability, and emotional distress. A tenant can also sue for damage to personal property, which results from faulty maintenance or unsafe conditions (ex their car is damaged).

You can avoid many problems by maintaining the property in excellent condition. By using/having:

o A written checklist to inspect the areas and fix any

roblems before new tenants move in.

o Encourage tenants to immediately report safety or security problems (not just their unit, but through out the property).

o Keep a record of all tenant complaints and repair requests with details as to how and when problems were fixed.

o Twice a year, give tenants a checklist on which to report potential safety hazards or maintenance problems that might have been overlooked. Use the same checklist to personally inspect all rental units once a year.

Here are some tips on choosing insurance:

o Purchase enough coverage to protect the value of the property and assets.

o Be sure the policy covers not only physical injury but also discrimination cases, unlawful eviction, and invasion of privacy suffered by tenants and guests.

o Carry liability insurance on all vehicles used for business purposes, including the manager's car or truck if it's used on the job.

If disputes arise between you and your tenants, try to resolve them without lawyers and lawsuits. You can try to put in your lease/rental agreement that all issues will be brought to a mediator/arbitrator. This can save you money. For information on local mediation programs, call your mayor's or city manager's office, and ask for the staff member who handles "landlord-tenant mediation matters" or "housing disputes." That person should refer you to the public office, business, or community group that handles landlord-tenant mediations.

But if that is not possible and you have a conflict with a tenant over rent, repairs, noise, or some other issue that doesn't immediately bring an eviction, meet with the tenant to see if the problem can be resolved informally. If your dispute involves money, and all attempts to reach agreement fail, try small claims court, where you can represent yourself. This will save significant money.

Limit your exposure to lawsuits. Popular reasons are mold and fair housing. Mold starts with water. It is about prevention, controlling water and moisture intrusion. You should proactively attempt to identify potential sources of water and moisture intrusion before they occur. Such as old roofs, pipes that leak or sealed properly, toilets that don't function correctly. If a tenant claims that mold is effecting them, you should take it seriously.

I once got and this email and I don't know how accurate it is, but it does make you think.

o 5% of the world's population is in the U.S.

o 70% of the world's lawyers are in the U.S.

o 94% of the world's lawsuits are filed in the U.S.

o There is a lawsuit filed every 30 seconds.

One way to protect your self is to form a LLC if you don't have one. The LLC requires payment of an annual fee. It must be run as a business, that is separate from personal finances. I have resources that can get your property into a LLC. Contact me and let me know if you would like to talk to them about your situation.

Finding A Right Contractor

Having contractor's assistance is important in running an apartment building. Picking the correct contractor will make your worries less. Have them meet you in person when they present the bid to you. Observe how their quote looks. This is a proposal, so critique the look and feel of it. Did they put time to put it together, or make it in two seconds? Also, have them physically show you a copy of their business license and ask for a copy of their insurance and bond papers. If they can't, tell them to make like a banana and "split"

Have the contractor give you referrals. With the referrals and ask them do they:

o Return calls in a timely manner?

o Show up for work when he says and on time?

o Keep the job clean as he goes?

o Give consideration to residents?

o Perform inspections thoroughly?

o Alert you to potential maintenance problems?

Ways to increase revenue/save money while owning your apartment:

o Conserve water: Water saving toilets, shower heads, low flow faucets.

o Utilize new technology: System that converts salt into chlorine can cut thousands of dollars in swimming poll cleaning and maintenance costs.

o Bill tenants for utilities.

o Obvious...increase rents.

o Collect rebates and freebies: check with city about rebates on water savings and energy saving landscaping, heat reducing items, solar power panels.

o Close the swimming pool: If no one uses it, close it and fill it with dirt, or cement.

o Trim payroll cost: rather than pay, for a full time manager, have an onsite resident manager who receives free or cut rate rent in exchange for picking up trash, deliver tenant notices, etc.

o Manage the managers: make sure your property management company puts you the owner interest first.

o Hire moonlighters: sub out work, to independent contractors who have day jobs, that can bring an added service to you. Ex, someone who works at Home Depot, works for a city housing authority, or for a large apartment company.

o Automate accounting: get bookkeeping software can help identify unnecessary cost and keep track of income tax deductible expenses.

o Request discounts: you can get discount just by asking your vendors.

o Track vacancies: good data can reveal ways to reduce vacancies. Try doing an exit interviews, to understand reasons why people move.

o Review contracts: an annual review of the cost of all products and services used by the apartment operation can reveal opportunities for savings. Get at least three bids for each service. Work with providers/vendors who specialize in apartments, you may be able to get a lower price, plus they truly understand your needs.

o Cut insurance costs: To save on insurance premiums raise policy deductibles, eliminate unnecessary or duplicative coverage, shop around for cheaper rates, group buildings under an umbrella liability policy or make alterations to the building itself. Let them tell you what the issues are. After knowing that try to change the issue around modify the issue/structure and see if that would change your underwriting score.

o Buy wholesale: Avoid retail when possible.

o Raise rents: be sure to compare rents for apartments that are similar in location, size and amenities.

o Laundry rooms. You can have a company pay you a fee to have their products on your property that they install, you sign a lease with them, they service it and you both share profits. Or buy it your self and have contractors service it.

o Cable/satellite/Internet. Typically providers will sell their service to the owner at bulk at a discount, and then the owner resells the services to the apartment residents at a markup that generates a profit but is still below the retail cost residents would pay individually.

o Monthly pet fee.

o Vending machines.

o Maid services for tenants.

o Security alarms. Tenant will pay extra to have it on their apartment.

o Bicycle racks.

o Pay utility deposits over a 3-6 month period. Get a "between renters agreement" go to electrical company express tenants will/are paying their own electric bills and if they take off/move the electrical company can't cut off power unless it notifies you/property management company.

o Get a large garbage container and empty it less.

o Have maintenance fee clause in rental agreement tenants pay $50 less each month in return for taking care of minor maintenance (this way management will not have to worry about minor things).

o Pay bills with in 10 days and try to get a discount @ least 2%.

o Lease garage storage.

o Have several apartments available for "corporate housing" that is fully furbished and have companies rent out the units for a temporary time period.

o Enforcing late fees.

o Always outline which repairs the company and responsible for up to a certain $amount. Ex have the management company handle any maintenance or repair cost that run less $200.

o Convert a master metered property to a sub-metered.

o Billboards (rent space on your property).

o Provide access to building rooftops for cellular companies.

o Consolidate 2 or more property managers to achieve synergies.

o Protest assessed tax valuations to have them lowered.

o Each time tenant moves out check faucet and toilets for drips.

You can create "forced appreciation" by rehabilitating a run down property and make it more expensive than the purchase price. You could also, convert it into condo's. With instant appreciation, you can buy a property for less than the market value, fix it up, come up with more systems to increase revenue and sell it.

Management tips

o Have photo ID cards for on site staff, residents will feel safer. Especially if the person comes into the apartment to fix something. Having a standard polo shirt is good too.

o Send thank you notes to residents who keep their patio clean. On the flip side, notify them when it is dirty.

o Have tenants able to pay for their laundry by debit card, or have change on hand.

o 1 night a week, stay open to 8 pm. Have manger work one Saturday per month.

o Instead of giving away money for people that pay their rent on time, offer a coupon to a local merchant.

o Send anniversary gifts of occupancy.

o Extend your referral bonus to them for up to 12 months after they move out.

CYA... keeping files on all tenants

o Forwarding address of the tenant to which they have authorized the refundable deposit. This is key to have because if someone skips town and leaves with out paying rent. With this information, you have a person and address to find the person.

o Copy of the deposits form. What deposits were held back, if any, and for what reason (could prove handy if taken to court).

o Residential Lease Agreement.

o Lease terms, amount of rent, how long the resident stayed, what personal property, such as appliances, are included in the property and all deposits taken in.

o Credit Report received when the application was made this is good for recovering rent owed.

o A list of property improvements that were made prior to advertising the rental.

o Correspondence received or sent to the resident during their tenure.

To get forms (applications needed for running a property, check with your local apartment association.

By: Cordell Davenport

"Your Apartment Investment Resource, Who Is Determined To Create Value!"

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cordell@cordelldavenport.com

I am a resource to investors who own, or want to own apartments. I provide the essential financing as well as knowledge on how to rent and retain tenants of the property.

The company I represent is Smith Craine Finance (http://www.smithcraine.com). The benefit to you is that I have two "Aces in the hole." Theses two are the President and Vice President of the company. My VP is an inactive CPA, MBA and C.C.I.M. My president has a MBA in Finance and is on the board of Northern California C.C.I.M. and is the VP of the California Mortgage Association. So what does that mean to you? Well there is virtually no scenario that has not been encountered. A couple of years ago, we were awarded "Top five mortgage brokerages in Northern California" according to California Real Estate Magazine. The company's motto is "we just don't quote...WE CLOSE!"

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Considerations in Hiring a Medical Billing Service

As a physician, your greatest fulfillment comes in treating your patients.  However, without good cash flow it can all be made less satisfying and can even end in financial disaster.  Not anyone can do a good job billing for your services.  Choosing the right company to bill for you is something that should be done with special care as your practice depends upon it.

In this present climate of denied payments and confusing coding, it can be very beneficial to use an outside service.  Your overhead is cut by eliminating in-house billing staff or, even better, it frees up those employees to allow your office to provide better patient care.  When choosing a medical billing company, some goals need to be set.  You can benefit from outsourcing your medical billing , but how to make that choice?

Here are a few things to look for in choosing a medical billing service

Training and Experience.    Though a new service fresh to the marketplace can give you individual attention because of a dearth of clients, an experienced established business is the way to go.  Ask what the education level is of the individuals that will be doing your billing and coding. How were they trained in billing and coding?

How much knowledge do that have in coding?  Though, as a physician it is your responsibility, a knowledgeable out source provider can find hidden gems that can mean more money in your pocket.  They can spot errors and advise on corrective action. 

Is the billing company HIPAA ready?  What steps have they taken to create a HIPAA compliant policy and environment for their company?

Request references.  A medical billing company worth its salt has satisfied clients who will like to tell you of the successes and increased revenue they have realized through the service.

Ask questions such as "How will you follow up on claims?.  What type of appeal system do you have in place?"

Ask what type of reports you will receive for your practice. Can they provide specialized reports for you?  How frequently (monthly, quarterly, annually, etc.)?  You should be provided with the following basic reports: 

Accounts Receivable - aged by either date of entry or date of service

Practice Analysis - overall reporting of the practice charges and receivables

Transaction Report - general report of payments, charges and adjustments

Claims Report - to show claims submitted for a reporting period

Managed Care - reports to show loss of revenue, adjustments, timely payment and referral tracking

Are they able to work with your practice management software?  Can they make recommendations of software that will meet new government required CCHIT guidelines? By what method are they going to access your information?  Do you really want a company that has access to all of your files?  Is scanning and sending an option without them tiptoeing through your records?

Insofar as coding is concerned, are they up to date on the latest changes and additions?

How exactly do they go about collection?  Do they simply bill three times or do they go after the debtor vociferously.  Do they spend time on accounts that need special attention?

We're talking your cash flow here.  Is there a security backup plan in place?  Multiple servers?

Do they have the ability to provide you with a dedicated team so you don't get a different person each time you call?  Do you get someone who knows you and your practice?  These are important considerations as time is money and it is a pain to have to start over and explain a situation from the start.

What are their hours of operation?  Are they available when you need them?  Can you depend on that?  Speaking of hours, how fast is their turn around time?

What it is going to cost you for their services is a big issue.  The national norm is about 8.5 percent on total collections.  Will they consider a price reduction if you are a practice that bills high amounts each month?    Do they have a start-up fee and what does that start-up or set up fee include?  Be aware that it is practical for a billing company to evaluate your practice and needs before they quote you a fee for services.

Do they offer physician credentialing services to save you the time and effort in applying as a provider for a new insurance company?

Always keep in mind that this is your practice and your cash flow is the life's blood of your business.  You depend on the revenue coming in.  Can they give you some indication of how their services will increase your bottom line? 

A medical billing company should increase your reimbursements.  They should be more efficient and effective than an in-house program.  They should make you more profitable.  Cardion's physicians often realize a 26 percent increase in revenue.  Do your homework and you will end up with more money in your practice pocket at the end of the month.

As President/CEO of Cardion, Inc., Scheri Couch has over 25 years experience in health care marketing, sales and administration. Her company, Cardion, provides a variety of practice management solutions including medical billing and coding, medical claims processing, electronic medical records systems and medical transcription services. For more information visit [http://www.cardioninc.com].

Medical Billing Revenue Protection - Appointment Reminders and Patient Relationship Management

When patients miss appointments, they interrupt the flow of patient care, impede clinic productivity, and signal an eroding patient loyalty. The rate of no-shows runs at thirty percent for the average family practice. A missed appointment amounts to missed billing revenue. Worse, if the clinicians are part-time or full-time staff rather than contracted, they sit idle on the company clock, losing money with each passing minute. Finally, a missed appointment could be a symptom of a deserting patient, signaling a potential loss of long-term billing revenue.

Reminder calls for upcoming appointments and follow up calls on recent no-shows are effective strategies for billing revenue protection because they reduce numbers of no-shows and help early identification of incipient patient attrition and other patient relationship problems. Vendors of reminder call services quote no-show reduction rates of fifty percent. They also mention comparable improvement of long-term patient loyalty. Other no-show reduction strategy components include charges for missed appointments, no-show statistics analysis, and overbooking.

While recognizing the benefits of reminder calls, busy practice owners often neglect or postpone reminder and follow up calls because of other office management priorities, such as personnel issues or billing. As with any other management initiative, to get results, reminder call strategy must be implemented systematically and consistently.

Reminder call automation delivers the benefits of billing revenue protection and patient relationship management in a disciplined and systematic fashion and at a significantly lower cost. Successful implementation of reminder call automation depends on technology and require:

Flexible messaging - a successful appointment reminder must consistently fit the culture of your practice, location, and specific appointment type. Typically, a practice uses a new patient, existing patient, recall patient, and several specialty messages.


Appointment scheduler integration - a seamless method for retrieving the appointment information without involving the medical staff. Ideally, the message scheduler should be integrated within electronic medical billing software, providing transparent access to both patient appointment scheduler and patient financial records.


Call scheduling - the ability to schedule and automatically call patients with a personalized human voice message.


High quality infrastructure - a facility with the highest quality fiber optic feed, digital lines allowing us to provide unsurpassed message quality and call progress detection accuracy. This technology helps:


Avoid the pause that accompanies most automated messages. In fact any pause after the first sound could lead a patient to hang up or improper call diagnosis.

Use call progress detection to determine if the phone was answered by a person or by an answering machine. It can mean the difference between leaving a complete message or only a short segment of the message on the answering machine.

Finally, when shopping for automated reminder services, focus on vendors that offer SaaS-driven service and pricing. "Software as a Service" vendors of reminder call automation solutions price their services only for the calls they make, while you avoid purchasing hardware/software and associated management and maintenance costs. In financial management terms, SaaS proposition is equivalent to turning capital expense into operating expense, which translates into better balance sheet and lower risk.

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Billing for Communication Expenses in Hospitality Environments

Communication services are essential in keeping guests connected. Many business executives and travelers demand efficient facilities that can keep them in touch with home base and perform tasks remotely. From small inns to large hotel chains there is a recognized need to provide their guests with the latest communication technologies.

It is imperative for a sophisticated communications management system (CMS) to account for telephone charges, internet usage, equipment fees, surcharges and new technologies added every day. Potential revenue walks out the door without a proper metering system.

Virtually all communication servers and telephony platforms are equipped with a mechanism of delivering transaction logs (usually Call Detail Recording (CDR)). These logs are captured by the CMS application, translated into a database, assigned a cost and instantly delivered to a property management system. In some small B&B, inns and motels billed transactions are spooled to a printer. Larger environments require more sophisticated delivery of transactions to desktops, one or more property management systems and a central hub.

CMS applications are usually tailored for the special needs of hospitality. These accounting systems generally facilitate real time billing directly into room folios, departments and GL accounts.

A CMS reporting engine can provide concise up to the minute information for accounting comptrollers. Detailed and summary reports can be derived for guest rooms, meeting rooms, convention floors, administrative, employee and tenant extensions.

Most hotel chains will have special billing policies across their properties. A robust CMS pricing engine can accommodate any carrier tariffs, custom hotel plan, markups, surcharges, price limits, discounts or taxation. These tariffs can apply to internet billing records, carrier services or IP/PBX records.

Competition and alternate communications technologies over the years has reduced the cost of long distance. Many general managers have complained about the loss of long distance revenue. However, forward thinking comptrollers are now maximizing their returns with sophisticated communications management systems (CMS) that address the billing of new and old technologies (VoIP, Wi-Fi and fixed analog lines).

Most are becoming more savy about the capabilities of their infrastructure. Properties are reducing expenses through introduction of VoIP facilities and channeling more traffic efficiently. They analyze calling patterns, equipment usage and traffic flow.

These metrics assist in tweaking systems for better customer relationship. This generally results in recurring patronage revenue for the property. A CMS solution is vital to the success of every hospitality environment.

Discover more about call accounting, internet usage, hotel billing and telephone reporting from Resource Software International Ltd. (RSI).

Rito Salomone is the president of Resource Software International Ltd. (RSI). He has 17 years experience in the field of communication management solutions.

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Debt And Bill Consolidation Software

Credit that is easily available in the form of loans or credit cards offer a lot of convenience such as during emergency cash requirements or for making online payments for regular bills. However, this habit often leads to accumulation of many debts. This leaves borrowers looking at an outstanding amount much beyond their payment limit. Such debtors may therefore fall behind in their payments and ruin their credit rating. Debt and bill consolidation is a way to come out of debt by paying it off gradually through smaller monthly installments.

Debt and bill consolidation help the debtors to avoid bankruptcy and is usually for debtors who can at least make, some payments. Debt and bill consolidation is also an option when there is a chance of the debtor loosing any asset kept as collateral. Debt and bill consolidation essentially helps bring down the monthly payment requirements. Too many different payments mean different rate of interest for all the payments. With debt and bill consolidation, one rate of interest is applied to the whole debt amount, which is generally lower than the collective rate.

Debt and bill consolidation software generate various plans and programs to start debt management. Debtors, who have a lot of bills to pay, often choose to make the minimum required payment. Though this practice prevents them from being defaulters, they are charged significant interest rates on the carry over balance. To do away with all the debts and bills, a consolidation is an ideal option. Debt and bill consolidation software can be purchased from any debt consolidation services or can be downloaded from various websites. The basic version of the software is available at times for free on certain websites. However, the professional version that is more customized and has more features may have a price to it.

Debt and bill consolidation software is aimed at providing easy comprehension and simple calculation while laying out the debt management strategy. If the user has to invest a lot of time and money to buy, install and use the software, then the usefulness of the software is lost. Therefore, good and effective debt and bill consolidation software has to be cost effective and solution oriented for the user. Further, the debt and bill consolidation software needs to be compatible with all available versions of machines and operating systems.

While choosing any debt and bill consolidation software, the customer must do a check on the credibility of the company providing that software. Debt and bill consolidation software helps to create a customized solution and encourages customers to stick to their debt resolution plans. This is because the software automatically deals with all the data provided by prioritizing the debts on the basis of rates. The company providing the software can also be asked for guidance while choosing the software. The companies usually have experience dealing with people with bad credit or poor credit and thus can decide which software will most suit the debtor.

Although debt and bill consolidation software certainly helps in managing debts, it cannot however prevent people from falling into debt traps. As such, the best way of preventing a bad credit situation is to address restrain while using credit cards or applying for personal or any other type of loan.

Gibran Selman works for CuraDebt, a company providing financial and creditor negotiations, settlement, and arbitration services on behalf of individuals and small businesses.

To get a FREE Debt Analysis Online in Only 30 Seconds, simply go to our website at http://CuraDebtConsolidation.com and fill out our simple application to see if you qualify and to receive a FREE, confidential consultation from an understanding counselor.

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Debt Management Through Credit Counseling and Debt Relief Companies

Struggling to pay for day to day living expenses is horrible when compared to being unable to with pay a credit card bill. Everyone has the intention to pay back their debt in full when they take it out but unfortunately we cannot always see what is around the corner and finances can often be hit hard. But if this sounds familiar do not lose heart, a debt management plan maybe exactly what you need. A debt management plan helps by removing high spending and replacing it with an affordable plan more suited to what you can comfortably afford to pay.

A good debt management plan will help you:

o    Reduce your monthly payments

o    Cut your interest rates

o    Remove fees and penalties you may already have incurred

o    Simplify your bill payments by combining all your payments into one monthly bill

o    Avoid bankruptcy

o    Enjoy freedom from debt sooner than you could ever have imagined.

What is and Who Provides Debt Management Plans

A debt management plan is a method of debt reduction offered by credit counseling agencies and debt relief companies. Credit counseling agencies will assist you by negotiating with your creditors to reduce your payments and by then providing you with a repayment plan at reduced levels. A Debt relief company does the same job as a credit counseling agency but goes a little further in that they will then manage your debt on an ongoing basis, making payments when payments are due and requesting a singular monthly payment from you to do this with.

Do These Services Negotiate and Manage All of My Debt?

No. Any debt that is secured cannot be included in this process, however, all unsecured debt can be. Unsecured debt can include your credit card debt, medical bills, student loans, store cards, personal loans although some plans may exclude payday loans and student loans.

When Should I Consider Using a Debt Management Plan and What Are the Benefits?

When faced with a difficult personal financial situation, it is always advisable to attempt to rectify it by using a self repayment plan first. However, should this not resolve your problem and you are still faced with many monthly bills that you are unable to pay efficiently and you are receiving collection calls and you want to rid yourself of debt then it is time to consider using debt management.

The benefits of debt management plans are reduced monthly payments, removal of penalties and charges,  harassing collection calls stop and your debt is much more manageable as you only have one payment each month.

Finding a Good Debt Management Company

Each region will have agencies and services that will provide an excellent service and the best way to check out your local debt management company is through the recommendations of trusted friends or family. Failing that you can always check out a company's profile, service background and client testimonials on sites such as the 'better business bureau'.

The Process Explained

You will be asked to provide a full and complete expenditure/income sheet for your household. This sheet will provide all the necessary information relating to your debt: For example; the outstanding balance, interest rate, minimum required payment and repayment period for each creditor as well as all your personal expenditure and income details.

Once the company has all your information they will sit down with you and devise a repayment plan. They will then negotiate with all your creditors on your behalf lowering or freezing interest charges, getting penalty charges dismissed and even on occasion getting debt written off!

Once all the creditors have agreed to lower payments the company will work out a revised repayment plan, calculate your monthly payment and they will then disburse those funds between your creditors as agreed. This payment will continue until all your creditors are paid off or you voluntarily remove yourself from the program.

For information on other debt consolidation options as well as debt settlement, visit credit card consolidation loans site; where you will also find information on how you can clear your debt in as little as three years using techniques that the financial institutions do not want you to use!

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Eliminate Credit Card Bills - Sensibly Eliminate Your Credit Card Bills

Settlement companies have been gaining a lot of popularity in relation to eliminate credit card bills. However a logical thinking tells that these options are only workable when the economic conditions are weak. This is because in weak economic conditions, the financial industry is negatively affected. Credit card problems have risen to a great deal because of recession. Thus with such a high amount being stuck on credit, banks had to agree to settlement options to eliminate credit card bills.

The elimination process is very simple and all the client has to concentrate on is the caliber of the relief firm. The better the settlement company is the better settlement results are produced. Amateur companies do take up a case but they are unable to produce the desired results. Thus when the customer provides his case details and the case progresses, the customer is unable to get a major part of the loan eliminated. The bank management on the other hand focuses on extracting the highest sum from the customer.

Under any condition, the customers will not pay the original credit card bill to the bank. Thus the management of the money granting company tries to get the highest possible sum. The discussion which takes place between the money granting company and the settlement consultants discuss the transaction details of the customer. The reduction which is granted by the bank is also based on this discussion. At the moment, if you are unable to pay your credit card bills, there is nothing better than to legally eliminate credit card bills.

It is not that the settlement company talks to the bank and the elimination takes place. The bank management deeply analyzes the records of the customer and then gives the approval or disapproval to the settlement professionals. If the customer has not been making his payments habitually then he may not be granted settlements. This is because the bank management can present the argument that the customer has not been making payments under all conditions so recession cannot be treated as a different situation. Now the time period which is granted to the customers is also a very different situation as well.

If the amount is small then the customer is granted a small time period to pay the bank. In case of larger sums, the customer is provided a larger duration as well. To eliminate credit card bills, the customer has to be sure of the fact that he is actively involved with the relief firm. Experienced companies take a very short duration to eliminate credit card bills.

If you are over $10,000 in unsecured debt it would be wise to utilize a debt relief network instead of going directly to a debt settlement company. Using a debt relief network guarantees that the debt settlement company you choose has been certified and has established success in negotiating settlements. They are free to use and a good starting point to begin your debt relief process.

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What to Look For With Medical Billing Outsourcing

If you are a medical provider considering outsourcing your billing, there are a few things you should consider. Choosing a medical billing service can be hard to do because it may seem like you are relinquishing control over the most important aspect of your practice. Here are a few tips to help you make the right decision with your medical billing outsourcing.

Communication and transparency are the key to any successful relationship between a physician and their billing service. Make sure the medical billing company you are considering has a policy of communication that is satisfactory to you. Some questions to consider: what type of reports do they run and how often are they provided? How often do they work insurance denials? Establish your preferred method of contact, whether by phone, email, etc. How does the medical billing service file their claims? Do they run software on their computer or use an internet based service?

Make sure the physician billing service does not make any changes to ICD-9, CPT, or HCPS codes without your consent. A billing service can be instrumental in finding errors in your coding and help you make the correct changes, but they should not do so unless consulting with you first. This prevents any liability issues down the road. Ask the billing service if they provide any physician education or feedback on insurance billing issues. Some may charge for this information, but most may be happy to provide it as part of the service.

Who posts payments? Some physicians may choose to keep this portion of their practice management in-house. In the beginning there will be a gradual overlap as you transition posting payments from your books to the billing company's. Some patient balances may not match due to the information provided to your billing service. For example, maybe a patient as a credit on your books but the medical billing company you are using is not informed of this, creating two different balances. The more information you can provide up front, the closer your books will match.

One easy way to feel a sense of retaining control as well as being able to manage transition issues is to use a medical billing service that files claims through an internet based practice management system. Those that do use an internet based system are more transparent as they can provide 24/7 access to you from anywhere you have a computer.

Try to find a service that bills on a contingency fee. Some states may prohibit this, but it is the preferred method of billing. A set dollar amount per claim may make it easier to judge your cost each month. However a contingency fee, or percentage of the paid claim, offers distinct advantages. One, you only pay when you are paid. Two, there is more incentive for the billing service to work collections and denials. Three, it helps you control costs, especially since insurance allowables on some procedures can be very low.

Finally, try to find a physician billing service that is a partner in your success. Are they able to help you identify areas of opportunities in your practice to increase revenue? Correct errors? Prepare you and inform you of notable changes in insurance billing policies? A good medical billing company is one that acts like a consultant and not just a medical biller.

Jeff Roh owns a physician billing service which specializes in increasing healthcare providers' revenue and cash-flow. For more information, visit http://www.profastbilling.com.

Medical Billing Seminars to Help You Save Thousands of Dollars

With the recent economic downturn, you understand it more than ever - every penny counts. Submission of claims is only half the battle, and effective accounts receivable management is one of the biggest keys to ensuring your practice receives the reimbursement you deserve. If your medical billing practice isn't monitoring the A/R and following up on unpaid claims, then you could be costing your practice thousands of dollars.

You need to produce a variety of reports to help you evaluate your A/R. Invest in a good practice management system, and learn all of its capabilities. Any system can bill, but what makes a difference is - whether it can it help you collect! Pay special attention to the reporting abilities of the system you use  - to be sure you get the data you need to manage your practice's A/R. Use this information to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of your practice's A/R management.

If you have a set A/R follow-up procedure, it'll help your practice and ease your medical billing headaches in a multitude of ways. The main benefit is that a set procedure allows you and the rest of the practice's billing staff - to really learn the ins and outs of the insurance companies you work with. This also allows the practice to see consistency in employee behavior and actions, to ensure compliance, repeatability, and replication of actions over time, and to optimize revenue for the practice.

Make sure you have assigned the right people on the medical billing team - responsible for A/R follow-up and management know how to work each account, capture payment, and work with insurance companies. Also make sure that you have an adequate number of people focusing on A/R.

To stay on the safer side, continually review and monitor your explanations of benefits (EOBs), paying special attention to your denials. You can pick up a lot of information from your EOBs, such as how quickly insurers are paying you, whether your fee schedule is adequate, if your coders are coding properly, why insurance companies are denying your claims, and if you're getting paid according to your contracted rates.

With all the tools in your medical billing arsenal, there should be no reason why you should worry about getting in the reimbursements your office rightfully deserves. If you need expert advice and the latest updates, medical billing seminars are the best way you can perk up your practice and save thousands of dollars.

Keep on updating your medical billing skills by attending medical billing seminars with premier coding experts, CDs, tapes and transcripts of coding training information by specialty.

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Review of Online Bill Payment Methods

Bill payment online appeals to consumers mainly because of the convenience. There are several methods of paying for your bills online, such as with your bank directly, and other websites such as paytrust.com. There is also a reputable form of bill paying software available called Quicken 2008 Deluxe. No matter which way you choose, the information provided will hopefully get you started in the right direction.

Most large banks of the modern world offer free online bill paying services to those who choose to sign up for online banking. Banks will often let you make any sort of bill payment, as well as payment to any other sort of online vendor. Banks most commonly support electronic payments, though whether or not they do they could always send out a paper check that you've authorized from your online account. Additionally, some banks are beginning to add in mobile banking and financial planning tools to make the beauty of online payments that much better. If your bank allows you to make online payments, try their service out - it's typically cheaper to pay directly through them than through any other payment site.

Paytrust.com offers great service regarding online bill payments, however it's not free. You can pay any bill even if your biller isn't compatible with electronic payment. If you want to manage the majority of your finances online, this service will notify you by email whenever you receive your bills. Even better, Paytrust.com will keep your records online for a period of 8 years. Paytrust will accept every one of your bills so you don't ever have to worry about missing a bill in the mail, and if you're frequently out of town this is a great choice. This service costs a minimum of $5 per month plus $0.50 each time you pay or receive a bill.

Quicken's personal finance software is another great method to pay your bills. Aside from offering bill paying and bill management services, they your personal finances are kept track of in their comprehensive software. Quicken charges $10 per month if you want to use their online bill paying service (you can pay up to 10 bills per month with this package), but its main benefit is that all your transactions are recorded by the software into a plan that will help you manage your finances. It's also compatible with thousands of financial institutions online, including PayPal.

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Why Doctors Choose to Outsource Medical Billing

What would you do if necessities impeded you from fully focusing on your job? Would you allow your focus to be interrupted or would you find a way to delegate some necessities to others? Many doctors are faced with such a dilemma.

Doctors' offices must deal with two layers involving the work day. On one hand, doctors must obey their oath and treat their patients in the best way they know possible. On the other hand, doctors are faced with the task of perpetuating a 'business'. The process of medical billing involves medical coding, medical claims, bill-related phone calls, etc.

Unfortunately, to stay in 'business', a doctor's office must attend to administrative duties as well as health duties. This is not an optimal situation for most doctors' offices; so, many doctors choose to outsource their medical billing necessities to a medical collections company.

Medical collections companies address a variety of tasks for a doctor, so they can better serve their patients and focus on their primary roles as a healthcare provider. Medical billing companies can:

- Provide all-encompassing management of billing duties such as electronic verification, medical coding, claims submissions, payment posting, and collections

- Submit claims done by experienced professionals who stay current regarding healthcare regulations

- Manage printing and mailing of bills, follow-up statements, and patient concerns

- Make sure the doctors get paid as much as possible and as quickly as possible

The process of medical billing and medical coding is meticulous work. Many doctors may not have the time to learn and their staff may not have the time to dedicate to doing the job efficiently. Most medical collections agencies will tell you that the tasks involved equal that of a full-time position. Doctors' offices decide to pass their patient billing needs over to professionals that have the experience and time to properly complete what needs to be done.

Could you believe that doctors do not always get fully compensated for the healthcare services they provide? Plenty of doctors could tell you a few stories. Medical billing companies ensure that the medical coding is done without error and can follow-up on negligent trails of payment.

How about the need for technology? Aside from mastering the computers and devices germane to their specialized area of medicine, a doctor needs to master the frontend software of their practice to manage patients' appointments, contact information, insurance data, etc. A medical collections company can address these needs for the doctor.

It comes down to having the ability to focus on what is most important to their profession - addressing the needs of their patients. Doctors need to devote full attention to their patients and bettering their understanding of their profession. Administrative tasks are better left to other parties. Patient billing companies help the doctors help others.

Cobalt Health (http://www.cobalthealth.com) is a comprehensive medical collections agency. Cobalt addresses billing, coding, mailing, client questions, frontend software, and a number of other tasks for medical offices. Visit our site to find out how we can benefit you.

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Bill Paying Brits Have Money Concerns

As it now starts to get darker earlier, consumers may begin to find they are using more energy within their homes. However, the rising heating costs already appears to be turning the heat up on many peoples financial situation.

Such is the assertion of MoneyExpert, where in the latest research, it was shown that an increasing number of Britons are finding it difficult to manage. According to the price comparison website, the previous 6 months have seen some 1.61 million consumers miss a demand for payment for their usage of gas. This compares to the 1.16 million who failed to manage this spending commitment in the last half of 2007. In addition, the last six months were shown to have seen a hike in those who have not been able to pay their electricity bill. During this period of time an estimated 1.96 million people have not been able to manage such a task, an increase from the 1.31 million said to have had such difficulties between July and December 2007.

By failing to keep up demands for payment on gas and electricity bills, it may also be possible that consumers are finding they have problems managing other spending commitments. This could include areas such as secured loans repayments and credit cards.

The hike in the number of those struggling to pay their energy bills was particularly attributed to Britain's six major energy providers introducing two rounds of price hikes over the course of this year, following rises in the wholesale cost of oil and gas.

Commenting on the research, Sean Gardner, director of MoneyExpert, said: "Households are clearly feeling the strain with energy bills and other household bills going unpaid. The fear must be that the number of missed bills will only rise as the full impact of energy price rises hits home in the winter. The summer months are traditionally an inexpensive time when it comes to heating the home but the recent price increases and a tougher economic climate have meant that more and more people are struggling. As autumn closes in, wed only expect these figures to increase as the number of people pushed into fuel poverty jumps."

However, energy bills are not the only areas of household expenditure people are struggling with. MoneyExpert reveals that some 5.37 million people have missed a payment on some form of household bills in the previous 6 months. Such a figure is said to account for 12 per cent of the British adult population.

Apart from that, it appears that there could be some financial respite for consumers in the months to come. Mr Gardner pointed to recent reports by numerous industry commentators who believe that there may soon be a fall in the cost of wholesale energy.

For people looking for assistance in getting to grips with various financial commitments, applying for a cheap consolidation loan may prove to be of help. In doing so, borrowers may find that they can meet numerous constraints on their spending quickly, leaving them with an affordable low-cost monthly repayment. This might prove to be especially helpful after a study by MoneyExpert last month revealed that since Gordon Brown became prime minister in June 2007, the average annual interest charged on a credit card has increased from 18.36 to 19.66 per cent, with fixed-rate mortgage deals and personal loans also becoming more expensive.

Mark Dawson writes for the Loan Arrangers. Where visitors can compare UK loans online, and apply for the best cheap rate loans and the best debt consolidation loans available to them.

Debt Management Plans - Debt Survival

So either you're considering paying a visit to a certified credit counselor or you've already been to see one. Either way, the fact is you're deep in debt and don't know how you're going to pay them off. In general, you need help. Either you've been overwhelmed by unexpected but necessary bills, you've lost your job but need to pay rent somehow, or you've simply lost control of your budget. Whatever the reason, you need help and a Debt Management Plan might possibly help. Whether one can or not will depend on your personal situation.

In a Debt Management Plan essentially your credit counseling

organization takes over the managing of most of your unsecured debts. They directly interact with your creditors in order to negotiate lower interest rates, eliminate fees, prioritize debt payments and arrange what you will pay. The credit counseling agency may be able to help manage most unsecured debts.

Before your sign up for a Debt Management Plan

Before signing up for any Debt Management Plan, you want to take some steps to do research and prepare yourself. The more prepared and informed you are, the better you will understand the process and options that are available to you even before discussing

the situation with your credit counselor.

1 - Talk to your creditors yourself

The fact is, many negotiations between a creditor and a credit

counselor can be done by you. Before I went to see a credit counselor, I negotiated lower interest rates on all my credit cards, so low, in fact, that even the credit counselor couldn't do better. You also want to have a long chat with your creditors about what other concessions they might be willing to make for you and for the credit-counseling agency you're considering. Creditors want their money and it may be the case that you can negotiate a better arrangement because you know your situation best. As my own situation got worse for numerous reasons,

I negotiated with my creditors a second time and was quite surprised that they were willing to eliminate the late fees and arrange a workable payment plan with me.

The benefit of a Debt Management Plan is that all the negotiations are done for you; you simply make one monthly payment to the credit-counseling agency after you sign-up and they pay your creditors; and they may be able to provide a timeline for getting out of debt, which is really what the

goal is. In going this route, you may have to agree not to use or apply for credit while participating in the Debt Management Plan.

2 - Find a reputable credit-counseling agency

Finding a reputable credit-counseling agency means research. Many of us have had trouble with debt at one point in our lives, so ask around and see if anyone has had success with a particular agency. Also, if you think you have found one, check with the Better Business Bureau, check online to see if this agency is reputable. Another option would be to, again, talk with your creditors and see if they work with that company. For me it turned out that the agency I chose didn't work with two of the creditors that I owed the most to.

3 - Work out a budget

Before making any financial decision, one of the first and most necessary steps is to figure out just how much money you have coming in, how much is going out, how much of your spending is necessary and how much isn't. Deciding how much money you have coming in is easy, just look at your pay stubs - printed or otherwise.

Deciding how much you have going out is not always that easy and it's important to be honest and calculate everything. First, you need to gather your bills and your receipts for all expenses, necessary and unnecessary. Add everything up to get an idea about how much your spending. Second, list your expenses by necessary and unnecessary; and, no, that $9 movie is not necessary. I was even told by a credit counselor that spending $50 a week on

food was too much and that only $20 was necessary. Of course, I was thinking, 'what world are you living in?'. While difficult to do sometimes, you will need to make a decision about what expenses you can eliminate. When you have made these decisions,

you will then be able to see your financial situation for the future a little better and be better able to discuss your options with your credit counselor.

Is a Debt Management Plan Right For You?

One thing to remember is that not everyone is eligible for a Debt Management Plan. My own negotiations were so good that the credit-counseling agency could do no better, and in fact the interest rates I was paying were half what the credit-counseling

agency could get. You also might be so far in debt and simply not making enough money to afford any but the most essential living expenses and have nothing left over to pay creditors. There are other decisions to be made, though, before deciding to participate in a Debt Management Plan.

Here's what you should cover with your credit counselor beforehand:

1 - Options besides a Debt Management Plan

Everyone needs options and it's always good to have a few. Before you sign-up for a Debt Management Plan, you should know what they are.

2 - Other Credit-Counseling services

Check to see if the credit-counseling agency also provides other money management services, such as help with budgeting. Sometimes our debt is simply due to the inability to budget and manage money well. Education on money management issues can go a long way in preventing further problems with debt.

3 - Impact on your Credit Score

There are some conflicting stories about what happens to your credit score when you sign-up for a Debt Management Plan. When I talked with a credit-counselor, I was told it would not impact my credit score. However, after talking with my creditors, I was told that it would reflect negatively on my report. I was more inclined to believe the creditors because they are, in fact, the ones who report on my payment history, length of history, etc. You don't want anything negative on your report, so find out from both your creditors and your credit-counselor how it might affect it. While you may not be able to avoid having negative entries on your credit report, you should try to minimize the damage as much as possible.

4 - How much will your monthly payment be?

This is an important fact to know because it will affect your budget and you need to know if you will be able to manage the payment with all of your other necessary expenses. As with any expense, if you can't afford it, then you don't want to commit to it.

Can the Credit-Counseling Agency do what it says?

Like any major financial decision, you want to take some time to do research and think about it. Don't simply sign-up at the first meeting with a credit counselor; you may be in for a big surprise.

Here are some further issues you should research:

1 - Confirm concessions

Your Credit counseling agency should provide with a list of what they can do for you by creditor, such as interest rates, elimination of fees, etc. Check with your creditors to confirm that the credit-counseling agency can provide these concessions and whether there is a waiting period for them.

2 - Will your creditors be paid on time?

An important fact to remember is that all of the accounts with your creditors are still in your name and you are expected to pay by the due date. Talk to your credit counselor about when payments are made and confirm that this will coincide with the payment due dates for your creditors.

3 - How do you get account information?

As with any account you open, you need to have a way on checking that status of that account. Find out whether this is possible and how it can be checked - email, phone, etc. Also, find out how often it can be checked and what types of information will be provided. If this service isn't available, you need to find a different agency. Regardless of the service, it's your money and you should know how it's being spent.

After you sign-up for a Debt Management Plan

Debt management is not a passive process. This is your life and your financial situation. You need to be an active part of the solution. A Debt Management Plan only helps you manage your financial obligations to your creditors better. Your active participation can only help you in the long run and will ensure that your financial situation improves for the future. It may also provide a little peace of mind since you will be able to your debt diminishing and continue to monitor whether your credit-counseling agency and Debt Management Plan is doing what it should be doing - eliminating your debt. Active participation means you need to keep in contact with your creditors.

Here are some ways to be active:

1 - When does your Debt Management Plan start?

This is important to know because you want to continue paying your bills until it goes into effect. Your credit rating is affected by your payment history and your goal should be to avoid any negative reports, whether you've had them yet or not. It would be a shame to start a Debt Management Plan to avoid negative reports, only to get them anyway.

2 - Has your Debt Management Plan been accepted?

Your Debt Management Plan only works if your creditors accept the proposed plan. If it hasn't been accepted, then you should contact your credit-counseling agency again before sending them payments.

3 - Is your Debt Management Plan paying the bills?

Check your monthly statements and call your creditors monthly to confirm timely payment, interest rates, elimination of fees, etc. Again, it doesn't do any good to sign-up for a plan only to have it fail in what you've been told it would do and how it would do it.

Since a Debt Management Plan is just a step away from, if a Debt

Management Plan isn't going to work for you, you might want to consider bankruptcy. This was the only option given to me by my credit counselor, but I didn't want to consider it. Unfortunately, I could have saved myself a lot of grief by accepting what inevitably did happen years sooner. However,

this option should be discussed with a credit-counselor if indeed this is the only option they give you. Regardless of what you decide to do, remember that financial issues can be very emotional, and overwhelming debt is stressful and can have other consequences besides the obvious financial consequences. Also, think about how the financial issues affect those around you; your family, your friends. Talk things over with those who are directly affected. Sometimes a little discussion goes a long way in helping to solve the problem and relieve some of the emotion strain. Lastly, the sooner you seek help, the sooner the emotional strain can be relieved and you can get on with the rest

of your life.

For more ways on how to save money and manage your debt, go to Credit Management 101

The author runs Credit Management 101 - a website dedicated to issues concerning debt and credit management