about us
Preferred Billing Associates is a full-service medical billing company that promotes high quality, cost effective services to physicians and organizations throughout several states. PBA achieves this by integrating all aspects of medical billing and practice management into one program. We offer a large array of services to help the billing run smoothly and headache-free. PBA's services include: posting of charges, payments, report detail, claim submission, patient and insurance collections, patient statements and consulting work. We haven't limited ourselves to only one expertise. Take a look to see what other services we offer.

Prefer to keep your billing in-house? PBA is not limited to offering just medical billing software, we also manage networks and promote hardware solutions along with consulting services that can help you with your billing productivity.

It's okay to want to be relieved of worries or talking with insurance companies. Leave it to us to help create a headache-free billing process. Yes, we agree, it sounds too good to be true. Our knowledgeable staff is dedicated to seeing that you get the most out of every claim. ^back to top

HIPPA - privacy regulations
Privacy regulations were issued by the US Department of Health and Human Services for the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability of 1996) on August 14, 2002. As of April 14, 2003 penalties will be imposed to enforce compliance with the law.The HIPAA laws affect almost every healthcare provider and will change the way all these practices do business. It defines that the information in client files belongs to the client, not the practice and MUST be protected. The HIPAA Privacy Rules require certain specific methods of handling the protected health information (PHI) of clients.Fines, penalties and possible jail time can be imposed for non-compliance.

To be compliant, a practice must:
- Review the access employee's have to protected information and determine the
  "minimum necessary" access - Develop specific policies and procedures regarding
  the HIPAA requirements
- Provide training for current and all future employees on policies and procedures
- Appoint a privacy officer to monitor the practice’s HIPAA compliance
- Provide a Notice of Privacy Practices to all patients
- Obtain HIPAA-compliant agreements with all business associates
- Get a signed Authorization every time patient information is released per request of
  a clientHIPAA doesn't stop there. It also requires new procedures regarding patient
  access to their information

New procedures must be implemented to provide patients:
- Access to their medical information including providing copies at their request
- Ability to make amendments their records
- Accountings of any and all disclosures made of their medical information for any use
  other than treatment, payment and firm operations. The practice must notify each
  patient of these rights with a "Notice of Privacy Practices." This notice must include
  the patient’s rights, the practice's HIPAA policies and the address of where to
  complain. HIPAA laws do not override most restrictive state privacy laws. So your
  firm must be compliant with state AND federal privacy laws

Fines are large enough to put a practice out of business. For a simple violation, such as not documenting release of protected health information in every client file affected, the fine is $100 per standard violated, per client per year. The maximum fine per standard violated is $25,000 per year. Suppose your firm had 3,000 clients and an employee neglected to put a copy of the transaction in half the files of your practice. The fine could be 1,500 patients times $100, or $150,000. And that is for ONE violation. What would the fine be for NOT being compliant at all? And for misuse of patient data the fine could be $250,000 plus jail time. HIPAA compliance is not an option. HIPAA is the law right now. All covered entities must be compliant by April 14, 2003 or face the penalties imposed.

How easy is it to face a HIPAA audit? Real easy. ANYONE can turn a practice in. Ever had an unhappy employee leave, or experience the anger of a dissatisfied patient? One simple call or post card can bring any practice to the attention of the Health and Human Services' Office of Discrimination. ^back to top

pba history
Estabilishment:
Preferred Billing Associates, LLC was established on January 1, 1995, by Sylvia Leonardo.

Major Past Accomplishments:
June 1996 - PBA was appointed as the executive director for the Connecticut Chiropractic IPA, Inc. Responsibilities included processing up to 500 medical claims per day, disbursement of provider payments daily and direct network proposals with statewide Insurance carriers.

February 1997 - First satellite office opens in Illinois.

April 1999 - PBA opens second satellite office in Illinois. PBA continues to uphold a favorable reporting with Dunn & Bradstreet for nine years. ^back to top

employment opportunities
To inquire about any available positions view the listing of current available job openings. PBA is always accepting resumes. Please fax or email resumes to:
e jobs@pbamed.com  |   f 203.269.7545

^back to top

satellite services
Please contact Sylvia Leonardo for more information about satellite opportunities.
^back to top