The 47-step checklist in this guide is designed for DME operators who want to audit their workflows internally, without a consultant, in under a day. Each step should be scored as Automated, Partial, or Manual. The sections with the highest number of Partial and Manual scores represent the workflows most likely to benefit from automation investment first.<\/p>\n
<\/span>What Does This Checklist Cover?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n- Section 1 Patient Intake and Referral Processing (Steps 1 to 8)<\/li>\n
- Section 2 Insurance Eligibility Verification (Steps 9 to 15)<\/li>\n
- Section 3: Prior Authorization Management (Steps 16 to 22)<\/li>\n
- Section 4 Claims Processing and Submission (Steps 23 to 30)<\/li>\n
- Section 5 Denial Management and Appeals (Steps 31 to 37)<\/li>\n
- Section 6 Inventory and Delivery Workflow (Steps 38 to 42)<\/li>\n
- Section 7 Compliance Documentation and Audit Readiness (Steps 43 to 47)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>How Should You Use This Checklist?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nScore each step using three categories. “Automated” means the step runs without manual intervention in the normal case, with exceptions handled in a defined queue. “Partial” means the step is partly automated but still requires regular manual input, correction, or workaround. “Manual” means the step is performed entirely by a staff member each time it occurs.<\/p>\n
A Partial score is often more expensive than a Manual score. Partial automation creates the illusion of efficiency while hiding the cost of the manual steps still embedded in the workflow. Identify your Partial scores carefully; they represent automation investments that are already underway but not yet generating full value.<\/p>\n
At the end of each section, note your score pattern. Three or more Manual or Partial scores in a single section indicate a workflow area that is likely generating measurable revenue loss or staff cost above industry benchmarks. The HFMA Revenue Cycle Benchmarking Report 2023<\/a> provides payer-mix-adjusted benchmarks for each of the seven workflow areas covered in this checklist.<\/p>\n![\"DME](\"https:\/\/www.clustox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/How-Should-You-Use-This-Checklist-1024x512.webp\")
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<\/span>How Should You Use This Checklist?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nScore each step using three categories. “Automated” means the step runs without manual intervention in the normal case, with exceptions handled in a defined queue. “Partial” means the step is partly automated but still requires regular manual input, correction, or workaround. “Manual” means the step is performed entirely by a staff member each time it occurs.<\/p>\n
A Partial score is often more expensive than a Manual score. Partial automation creates the illusion of efficiency while hiding the cost of the manual steps still embedded in the workflow. Identify your Partial scores carefully; they represent automation investments that are already underway but not yet generating full value.<\/p>\n
At the end of each section, note your score pattern. Three or more Manual or Partial scores in a single section indicate a workflow area that is likely generating measurable revenue loss or staff cost above industry benchmarks. The HFMA Revenue Cycle Benchmarking Report 2023<\/a> provides payer-mix-adjusted benchmarks for each of the seven workflow areas covered in this checklist.<\/p>\n<\/p>
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