T-QUAL is a timeliness and quality revenue cycle benchmarking system for hospitals, physicians, ambulatory surgery centers and other healthcare providers.
Methodology
Understanding current revenue cycle processes is crucial to the ongoing control of accounts receivable and to the development of a successful redesign and improvement strategy. This benchmarking methodology involves the use of a series of defined processing timeliness and quality standards that emcompass the entire revenue cycle from the scheduling of a service through the archiving of a zero balance account. Using these criteria in a sample based analysis, the analyst records the performance results into the T-QUAL: Accounts Receivable Benchmarking System.
The assessment methodology encompasses major financial classification and patient types for all services provided by the healthcare provider; as appropriate, only selected services can be included in this analysis. T-QUAL files can include single or multiple facilities, customized quality criteria tracking. The sample of accounts is randomly chosen from services provided approximately 120 days in the past, regardless of the current status of each account. This allows us to assess the total life of the accounts, including those paid and resolved prior to the assessment.
The analyst reviews each account using all available system and/or paper documentation to record the critical dates on which activities did or did not occur throughout the life-cycle of the account. In addition, over 40 quality criteria are monitored for each account to identify quality deficiencies within the current processes.
T-QUAL compiles the data and a statistical benchmark is instantly produced for each segment of the revenue cycle, i.e., pre-service, time of service, and post service. This benchmark becomes the tool for identifying opportunities for improvement and for demonstrating progress as improvements are successfully pursued. This methodology and software is also a valuable tool for implementing a staff-based CQI review process within the revenue cycle processes.
T-QUAL operates on a PC or laptop running Windows 95 or higher. The system includes a User's Manual and on-line help text explaining every feature and parameter of the system.