As we approach the end of the year, medical offices are gearing up for what is referred to as “blizzard season.” No, it’s not the kind of blizzard that involves snow, but instead, a flurry of activity arising each January due to the annual open enrollment period for Marketplace coverage and private insurance. The last quarter of each year brings a surge of individuals seeking new health insurance coverage or changing their existing coverage. This makes January a potentially hectic time, and the significance of having a fully staffed and well-trained backend team cannot be overstated.
In this blog post, we explore why it’s crucial for offices to have a complete and capable staff year-round to avoid overworking existing employees during busy times. We discuss the potential consequences of being short-staffed, including how it affects patients and the impact on your practice’s efficiency. We also provide insights on finding quality talent and how KnarrStar’s expertise is a game-changer in building and optimizing your healthcare team.
The Importance of a Complete Backend Team
Blizzard season is not your ordinary time of year for medical offices. The changing or addition of patient insurance coverage requires the expertise of eligibility and insurance specialists. However, without the right people in place, there are often others in the office responsible for collecting and verifying new insurance coverage at medical offices.
Why is it so important to have a full and trained backend team during this season?
Patient Experience
When patients visit your practice in January, they expect timely and efficient service. A complete backend team ensures that verifying their coverage is smooth and quick, enhancing their overall experience.
Timely Treatment
Delays in coverage verification can result in delayed patient treatment. In healthcare, treatment time is often of the essence, especially for those with chronic illnesses. A delay in treatment, such as a missed infusion, can result in disastrous consequences. A well-staffed team helps ensure patients receive the care they need without unnecessary delays.
Reduce Overworking
Without a full staff, the workload is often distributed to other team members, overburdening and overwhelming them. This can lead to stress, decreased productivity, and potential burnout among your existing, valuable staff.
Maintaining Quality
A complete backend team ensures that the quality of work is consistent. Errors and omissions can occur when individuals are overworked or when tasks are rushed due to a staff shortage.
Finding Quality Talent – Leveraging KnarrStar’s Expertise
Finding quality talent for your team can be daunting, but preparing ahead of time, especially for busy times like blizzard season, can alleviate a significant amount of stress. This is where we can be a valuable partner! With a commitment to the industry and a proven track record in healthcare, pharmaceutical, and IT staffing, we understand the importance and intricacies of building a high-performing healthcare team.
Some of our services include:
Identifying the Right Talent
We have a keen eye for identifying individuals who will seamlessly integrate and thrive within your practice. Our extensive network and industry knowledge ensures you receive top-tier talent aligning with your vision and company culture every time.
Building Complete Teams
Our capabilities extend beyond finding individual healthcare professionals. We can help you build an entire office staff, including physicians, nurses, medical assistants, physician assistants, infusion staff, clinical managers, backend staff, etc., and are committed to the team’s growth and success!
Comprehensive Recruitment Strategies
Our recruitment services cover job description development, applicant screening, and reference checks. We are committed to lightening the burden hiring can put on your shoulders.
Your Partner in Building a Full Team
We understand the importance of having a competent and well-rounded staff. From physicians to revenue cycle specialists, here are some of the roles we can assist you in filling:
- Practice Managers/Administrators
- Intake Representatives
- Benefits Specialists
- Collections Specialists
- Billing Specialists
- New Patient Coordinators
- Reimbursement Specialists
- Contracting and Credentialing Specialists
- Patient Services Representatives
- Prior Authorization Specialists
- Revenue Cycle Managers
Having the right people in these positions like these is integral to the smooth functioning of your practice, particularly during demanding times of the year.
In conclusion, blizzard season is a crucial time for medical practices, and being fully prepared is essential. A complete and well-trained backend team is a must to ensure the smooth verification of insurance coverage, maintain a high standard of patient care, and prevent overworking your staff.
If you’re looking for quality talent to build or optimize your team, KnarrStar Recruiting is your trusted partner. Our healthcare, pharmaceutical, and IT staffing expertise makes us an invaluable resource for finding the right professionals to enhance and integrate seamlessly into your business.
Don’t let blizzard season catch you off guard. Connect with us today to build the healthcare team you need for success!
*Open enrollment on the Marketplace runs from November 1 to December 15 for a January 1 coverage start date. Please visit https://www.healthcare.gov/ for more information.
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