Fee-for-Service

Term from Medical Practice industry explained for recruiters

Fee-for-Service is a traditional payment model in healthcare where medical providers charge separately for each service they provide to patients. Think of it like a restaurant bill where every item is listed separately - each consultation, procedure, or test has its own specific charge. This differs from newer payment models like subscription-based care or bundled payments. When reviewing resumes in healthcare, this term indicates experience with traditional medical billing and revenue management.

Examples in Resumes

Managed billing department for busy medical practice, processing over 1,000 Fee-for-Service claims monthly

Increased revenue by 30% through optimized Fee-For-Service billing procedures

Trained staff of 5 on FFS and Fee-for-Service billing requirements

Typical job title: "Medical Billing Specialists"

Also try searching for:

Medical Biller Healthcare Revenue Specialist Medical Billing Coordinator Revenue Cycle Manager Medical Claims Specialist Healthcare Billing Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you improve a medical practice's fee-for-service revenue cycle?

Expected Answer: Should discuss strategies like improving documentation accuracy, reducing claim denials, implementing efficient billing software, staff training, and maintaining good relationships with insurance companies.

Q: How do you handle complex billing situations with multiple insurance payers?

Expected Answer: Should explain coordination of benefits, understanding primary vs secondary insurance, following up on denied claims, and ensuring proper documentation for maximum reimbursement.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What steps do you take to reduce claim denials?

Expected Answer: Should mention verification of insurance coverage, proper coding, timely filing, complete documentation, and following up on denied claims.

Q: How do you stay current with billing regulations and requirements?

Expected Answer: Should discuss continuing education, professional memberships, following industry updates, and regular review of payer policies.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the basic fee-for-service billing process?

Expected Answer: Should explain the flow from patient registration to service documentation, coding, claim submission, and payment posting.

Q: What information is required on a complete medical claim?

Expected Answer: Should list basic elements like patient demographics, insurance information, service codes, diagnosis codes, and provider information.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic medical billing procedures
  • Insurance verification
  • Simple claim submission
  • Payment posting

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Denial management
  • Insurance follow-up
  • Payment reconciliation
  • Staff training

Senior (5+ years)

  • Revenue cycle management
  • Process improvement
  • Team leadership
  • Compliance oversight

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic billing software
  • Unfamiliarity with insurance requirements
  • Poor attention to detail
  • Lack of understanding of healthcare compliance rules