Mastering anaesthetic billing: Zento’s smart solution for anaesthetists
Author: Ben Dudley
Date: July 6, 2023
Navigating the complexities of anaesthetic billing
As an anaesthetist in private practice, it is essential to maintain a balance between your costs and income to ensure financial stability. That is true for all anaesthetists but definitely those just starting out as their private income is still low. It is quite common to see anaesthetists taking on these admin tasks themselves to cut costs. However, we often hear from anaesthetists that their administrative tasks and billing would take longer than the actual medical work.
Ben Dudley
Founder Zento
Anaesthetist billing made easy
This is truly unique. Our app is called the Zentobox. You simply take a photo of a sticker with the app on your phone, record anaesthetic item numbers according to the specialty of the surgeon and our software automatically suggests the start and finish time of the case.
Ben Dudley
Founder Zento
When I started in private practice there was a large learning curve in terms of the various health funds and their differences in terms of billing and rebates. Zento took away all of the stress so I could focus purely on caring for my patients.
Dr. Nolan McDonnell
Anaesthetist using Zento’s anaesthetist billing services
Zento takes charge: Simplifying the complexity of private health fund billing for anaesthetists
It is very confusing, to say the least. But this is where Zento comes into play. We are best known for unravelling the intricacies of private health fund billing so that anaesthetists can focus on their job instead of their bills. By the time you see a patient in the pre-operation bay, you can be confident this patient’s health insurance is up to date and you will be paid for the procedure.
Ben Dudley
Founder Zento
We used to call this a gap fee, but insurers have hijacked this term and now market some of their services to patients with fancy slogans such as “including gap cover”. Their gap, however, may not be your gap, and this is where patients get very confused. Zento takes care of all this.
When you become a Zento client we focus on best practices.
- We know the MBS fees and the fee schedule proposed by the AMA and ASA (Australian Society of Anaesthetists).
- We understand how some health insurers set up gap cover schemes and that you can decide whether to be part of that or not.
Based on your personal preferences, we give you insights into how we can set up your billing structure to either be part of the insurer’s gap cover schemes or not. Based on that decision, we take care of all your billing so that you never have to worry again about not being paid.
Ben Dudley
Founder Zento
Zento’s practice managers: your key to streamlining administration and billing
You basically get the benefits of joining a private anaesthetist group without losing your independence. It is a cost and time-effective solution for busy anaesthetists.
Ben Dudley
Founder Zento
Join our group of independent specialists and physicians
“Zento is an outstanding practice management and billing service that set up my private practice as a new consultant a few years ago and the whole process couldn’t be easier for me!
Their billing system is simple, quick and transparent and their fees are amongst the lowest. They also help my practice by sending out patient questionnaires, facilitating my CPD and organising social events, just to mention a few!
I highly recommend their services to anyone in the medical field seeking guidance and support in launching a successful private practice or looking to streamline their billing process to save time and money.”
Mahsa Mirkazemi
“I had expanded my private practice and was paying a secretary to do my billing, but was still dealing with the hassle of incorrect bills and phone calls from patients. I decided I needed to take myself out of the equation completely, and found out about Zento from colleagues. Since then it has been smooth sailing, with Zento taking care of all my admin, and quickly and easily dealing with any billing problems. As a result, very little of my time is spent on admin now.”
Brian Morrow, Anaesthetist
“I found billing a nightmare – so much so that it was stopping me from doing private work. I heard that Zento provided a solution, and it revolutionised everything. The setup process was very straightforward, and now, they do all my admin – sending off the bills, checking they’ve been paid, chasing unpaid bills. I’m very happy with the service, and I would definitely recommend them to another anaesthetist.”
Helen Daly, Anaesthetist
“Coming from Europe, I was unfamiliar with the process of billing patients when I set up my private practice in Australia. Zento knew what they were doing when I came on board, and made the preparation of the paperwork a smooth experience. Now, I can tell patients that fees will be dealt with by another party, leaving my relationship with them positive. So many things have been taken off my plate, and if I don’t have to spend time preparing invoices, I’m happy!”
Thomas Ledowski, Anaesthetist
“I avoided private work because I was uncomfortable with gaining informed financial consent and didn’t have the mechanism to be able to charge a gap. I didn’t want to have the ‘money’ conversation with my patients, but when the opportunity to work with a private surgeon arose, I had to figure out a solution. After speaking with Ben, I knew Zento was the right service to fix my problems. Now I spend less than 30 minutes a month on financial admin for my private work, and talking about money with my patients is seldom required.”
Perth-based Anaesthetist
“Since I joined Zento I have been able to focus on what I’m good at which is giving anaesthetics rather than billing, chasing up bad debts, providing quotes. I was terrible at it! Ben’s team has always been very helpful and professional. Service fees have decreased! I’m very happy.”
Leah , Anaesthetist
“Has made my anaesthetic billing a breeze. Quick, reliable, efficient and highly transparent. My only regret is that I didn’t change to Zento years ago.”
Steve, Anaesthetist
“When commencing private practice there was a large learning curve in terms of the various health funds and their differences in terms of billing and rebates. Zento took away all of the stress associated with this so I could focus purely on caring for my patients. In addition, they took responsibility for other key issues such as provider numbers and accreditation at the various hospitals I wanted to work at.”
Nolan McDonnell, Anaesthetist
“They are professional, efficient and take a huge administrative burden off.”
Perth-based anaesthetist
“Zento helps me concentrate on my core job: looking after patients.”
Perth-based anaesthetist
“Huge burden lifted from my shoulders. Zento takes all of the admin load.”
Perth-based anaesthetist
“Since using their service I am consistently impressed by the level of service and attention to detail offered by the Zento team.
Knowing that my administration, reception and PA services are taken care of allows me to focus on my patients, my clinical activities and building up my practice.”
Perth-based cardiologist
“As a new Fellow I had no experience in how a practice is run let alone set up and I wanted to start my own practice. The Zento group have taken my idea and made it a reality. They are available, and thorough. They take time to understand what you need and work with you to achieve those goals realistically and practically. I am especially impressed by how they work hard at facilitating my vision for my practice.”
Perth-based obstetrician and gynaecologist