Oncology Partners, a medical billing and practice management firm serving oncology practitioners, today announced implementation of its billing and collections services for Bluegrass Hematology Oncology, a two-doctor group oncology practice in Lexington, Ky. The company began the project in January with the utilization of inventory management equipment and deployment of new billing and collections procedures. Oncology Partners is also providing consultation and contract negotiation services.

Bluegrass Hematology Oncology's practice administrator and billing department previously handled medical coding, billing and collections in-house. Now Oncology Partners utilizes inventory management equipment to capture chemotherapy and other service charges in addition to faxed procedure codes to build out patient bills. The company then sends bills to insurance carriers on behalf of Bluegrass Hematology Oncology. Since work began with Oncology Partners in January, Bluegrass Hematology Oncology has reduced the insurance-billed to payment-received cycle to an average of two weeks, a significant improvement over previous timeframes.

Bobbi Perry, practice administrator with Bluegrass Hematology Oncology said, ”We researched a number of medical billing companies, but none knew our billing and practice management concerns like Oncology Partners. Since they began as an oncology practice, they know first-hand how to alleviate the struggles many small oncology practices are facing with insurance reimbursement, healthcare reform and Medicare.“�

Oncology Partners was co-founded by Dirk Davidson, M.D., an oncologist, and Kevin Combs, a recognized expert in the medical billing field. After starting his own solo practice, Tennessee Plateau Oncology, Davidson sought to optimize billing and collections in order to increase revenues for the practice. During that time, Davidson and Combs developed a comprehensive billing methodology and tightly managed the procurement process with drug wholesalers. After seeing how the system increased collections at Davidson's own medical practice, the two men decided to establish Oncology Partners to help other oncology practices increase billings and profitability.

”We have spoken with a number of oncology practices who are in similar situations - they have great reputations and are doing great work for their patients, but changes in the reimbursement landscape are becoming harder for them to manage,“� said Dr. Dirk Davidson, president and co-founder of Oncology Partners. ”Practices like Bluegrass Hematology Oncology can benefit greatly from outside expertise while still maintaining tight control over their billing and collections process.“�

Perry said, ”I realize now that I was drowning in the politics surrounding insurance and Medicare reimbursement. Oncology Partners has truly become our business partner and has already made a huge positive impact on our processes. The peace of mind they offer is worth every penny.“�

About Oncology Partners

Oncology Partners is an innovative firm that specializes in helping oncology practices achieve greater efficiencies and profits in their billing and practice management. Co-founded by a medical oncologist, who has worked both in large group and solo practices, and by a respected medical billing specialist, Oncology Partners has the deep-seated industry expertise to make a significant difference in its customers' bottom line. The company also offers valuable consulting in the areas of practice management and contract negotiation with drug wholesalers. For more information on Oncology Partners, please call: 931-787-1500 or visit www.oncologypartners.net.