What’s inside:
Trailer claims occur when charges for procedures or supplies are added after the initial claim submission, leading to revenue leakage, claim denials, and delayed payments.
Manual processes and delayed logging often result in billing errors and compliance risks, leaving hospitals struggling to manage their revenue cycle management effectively.
Snap & Go leverages AI camera technology to close the loop on trailer claims, enabling hospitals to streamline their revenue cycle management, improve financial performance, and reduce administrative burdens.
Ah, trailer claim — the quiet nemesis of hospital Revenue Cycle Management. These stealthy little leaks occur when charges for procedures or supplies are added after the initial claim has already been submitted. Why? Because someone forgot to log the usage of that $10,000 implant in real time. The result? Delayed payments, claim denials, and a compliance headache. It’s like playing catch-up with a system that’s already miles ahead—and losing millions in the process.
In this article, we present a simple yet powerful solution for trailer claims prevention… spoiler alert: AI Camera.
Why Do Trailer Claims Even Exist?
At their core, trailer claims are a symptom of outdated charge capture processes. Hospitals still rely on manual or fragmented systems to record charges for high-cost items like surgical implants. Without real-time tracking or proof-of-use, these charges are either submitted late or inaccurately—if they’re submitted at all.
Let’s put this into perspective. According to HFMA, Up to 3% of a health system’s net charges can evaporate due to incomplete or inaccurate charge capture. For a 350-bed hospital, that’s roughly $22 million a year in lost revenue. Yes, $22 million. That’s the kind of number that makes CFOs lose sleep and Revenue Cycle Management teams question their processes.
The Creative Chaos of Charge Capture
What’s the solution, you ask? Well, hospitals have tried everything from dedicating highly trained nurses to manually entering charges in EPIC to sticking barcode stickers on papers—or even saving the implant’s packaging as “evidence.” And yet, here we are. Trailer claims persist. Why? Because these methods all rely on manual tasks, high staff engagement, or, let’s be honest, sheer luck.
What happens when charges are logged hours after a surgery? They’re forgotten, improperly entered, or flagged by payers who love asking, “But can you prove it?” It’s a system screaming for billing accuracy and audit-ready compliance.
The Hidden Costs of Trailer Claims
Trailer claims are more than just an annoyance—they’re a direct hit to a hospital’s financial health. Beyond the lost revenue, they drain valuable administrative resources as staff scramble to backtrack on missed charges. These inefficiencies not only delay reimbursements but also impact operational budgets, leaving little room for strategic investments in patient care.
What Can We Learn from Parking Tickets?
Let’s shift gears for a moment. Remember the last time you got a parking ticket? Chances are, it came with a photo of your car as irrefutable proof of your “crime.” They even let you view this evidence online. Why? Because a picture shuts down arguments. It’s black and white—literally.
Now, imagine bringing that same logic into your operating room. Why argue with payers about what was used during surgery when you can just show them?
The Case for Image-Based Proof-of-Use
This is where image-based proof-of-use comes in. Imagine a system that doesn’t just log implant usage but also captures a real-time photo of the device used. That level of transparency eliminates doubts, ensures billing accuracy, and closes the door on claim denials.
With IDENTI’s Snap & Go, AI-powered camera technology brings this vision to life. It captures real-time images of medical devices and implants at the point of care, providing undeniable proof of usage. No more stickers. No more “creative” workarounds. Just clear, actionable evidence.
How Snap & Go Solves the Trailer Claims Problem
Snap & Go goes beyond simple charge logging. It delivers visual proof that eliminates discrepancies, backs up every claim, and ensures 100% product validation. By digitally connecting items to revenue descriptions like revenue codes and CPT/DRG, it streamlines the entire process.
We won’t bore you with buzzwords, but here’s the gist: advanced AI algorithms combined with computer vision ensure that all data is validated, corrected, and precise. And the best part? It integrates seamlessly into the hospital Charge Master and billing systems, doing the hard work for you.
Here’s how Snap & Go changes the game
- Real-Time Proof: Instantly captures and logs images of every implant or device used, guaranteeing precise charge capture and eliminating guesswork.
- Eliminate Trailer Claims: Ensures all charges are captured and submitted accurately at the point of care, preventing revenue leakage and supporting trailer claims prevention.
- Reduce Denials: Provides undeniable visual evidence to support every charge, minimizing disputes and ensuring faster reimbursements.
- Audit-Ready Documentation: Maintains a comprehensive image-based record of implants for effortless audit-ready compliance.
- Streamlined Efficiency: Automates charge capture, freeing up staff from manual tasks and enabling them to focus on patient care.
Closing the Loop on Trailer Claims
In a world where precision in Revenue Cycle Management is non-negotiable, physical proof-of-use is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Snap & Go gives hospitals the ability to submit charges with confidence, ensuring faster payments, fewer denials, and better financial performance.
For hospital leaders tired of seeing revenue slip through the cracks, Snap & Go is the tool to finally close the loop on trailer claims. Because in today’s healthcare environment, it’s not just about submitting claims—it’s about getting paid what you’ve earned.
