Frequently Asked Questions & Answers for Office Ally Services
Q: How do I sign up with Office Ally?
To sign up with Office Ally, fill out our online sign-up Form. During the signup you must acknowledge and agree to the Business Associate Agreement and User Agreement on behalf of the company signing up for Office Ally’s products and services.
How long does it take to get setup / start submitting claims after I sign-up?
Once you sign-up, you will have a username and password for our website and will be able to begin submitting claims immediately.
Q: Do I need to purchase software?
No, the Office Ally website will interface with just about any practice management software. All you need is Internet access.
Q: How do I send claims to Office Ally?
Most of our users send claims to us as follows:
- Create a claim file using your current billing software
- Go to cms.OfficeAlly.com and hover over, "Login" and click “Service Center”
- After you login you will be on the dashboard.
- Hover over Submit Claims, select “Upload Claims”
- Browse to your file and click, "Open"
- Click, "Upload"
Office Ally also supports SFTP transfers and offers an online entry tool.
Q: What formats do you accept? What if my software isn't HIPAA compliant?
We do accept the HIPAA compliant ANSI 837 format. However, if your software does not produce this format, we also accept text files, (print-image files) and NSF format. We convert your claims to the HIPAA required ANSI 837 format before they are sent to the insurance companies. There is no need to upgrade or purchase new software!
Q: Is my software compatible?
Our ability to accept a print-image files means that we are compatible with nearly every practice management system. Essentially, if your software allows you to print claims in your office, you can send claims to Office Ally.
Q: What if I have no billing software?
Office Ally offers Practice Mate - a FREE web-based complete practice management system. *Transactional fees may apply. See Data Sheet for details.
Accessed via the Office Ally website, your practice information is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All you need is internet connectivity. Easy to learn and use, we have incorporated into our program all the elements needed for successfully managing your practice. We also offer a free, online entry tool for providers who don't need a full practice management system. This tool allows you access to a blank, electronic HCFA on our website. You type data into it the same way you would a paper HCFA. Additionally, this tool allows you to store patient, facility and provider information so you do not have to re-type the same information.
Q: What insurance companies am I able to send to electronically?
By enrolling with Office Ally, you are automatically set-up to send to all payers on our Payer List except those with a checkmark under the heading titled Enrollment. Those payers require you to go through a pre-enrollment process before we can send your claims electronically to them.
Q: How do I pre-enroll for insurance companies that require pre-enrollment?
To get started on the pre-enrollment for those payers who require pre-enrollment, go to the Resources tab on our web site and select Payer EDI Enrollment Forms. Find the state and respective insurance company that you need to pre-enroll with. Click on the link and follow the instructions provided and complete all required forms referenced in the instructions. There is no cost for pre-enrollment.
Q: How do I get set-up for Medicare, Medi-Cal, and CHAMPUS?
These payers require paperwork before we can electronically submit claims for you. These forms have very specific instructions that must be followed exactly. All of these forms require the provider's original signature - faxed copies are not accepted. The completed forms must be mailed either to Office Ally, or to the payer, (depending on the form) and then we must wait for an approval letter from the payer. Please contact us if you have any questions about these forms.
Q: How long does the pre-enrollment process take?
Pre-enrollment for most commercial payers is usually complete within one week. Pre-enrollment for Medicare, Medi-Cal, and CHAMPUS/TriWest varies from 1 to 6 weeks.
Q: What tools and features are available on OfficeAlly.com?
Office Ally offers many features to our users including tools for tracking claims, running reports based on your own specifications, checking eligibility, verifying codes (ICD9/ICD10, POS, Modifiers), fixing claims right on our website, entering claims online, and sending attachments electronically. *Transactional fees may apply. See Data Sheet for details.
We are continually adding new features and upgrading existing services to meet your EDI needs and best of all, it's all free to you as an Office Ally user.
Q: Are you HIPAA compliant?
Yes, we are HIPAA compliant. We are accredited thru HITRUST, SOC II Type2, and EHNAC, confirming security controls are implemented to meet HIPAA privacy and security regulations.
Q: Do I have to submit in a HIPAA compliant format?
No, the law allows providers to submit in a non-HIPAA compliant format to a clearinghouse. The clearinghouse must convert the claims into the 837 HIPAA compliant format prior to transmission to the insurance company. It is against the law for a provider to submit directly to an insurance company in a non-compliant format.
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