HME Billing in 2020: Company Culture Matters

Is a strong culture the key to a strong HME company?

We recently discussed the power of community on our blog and how it might define the HME industry in this new decade. Now, it’s time to explore another important aspect: company culture.

What is a company’s culture? Why does it matter? How can we make it better?

First, let’s reflect on what it means to have a company culture.

Defining Company Culture

Culture means different things to different people.

A company‘s culture, however, is written in its “genetic code,” says William Craig, a Forbes contributor and company culture expert. From a company’s beginnings, its visions and values, beliefs and habits are weaved into its fabric. He adds, “You have your own plans for your company’s development, and as your team grows, you’ll find that it can change and grow in unexpected and rewarding ways.”

So, let’s reflect for a moment. Grab a pen and paper or open a Word doc. Now, take a few minutes to describe your company’s vision, values, beliefs, and habits.

Next, we encourage you to ask your employees these questions. You might see certain behaviors emerge. Are these habits healthy? Alternately, you may notice differences between your answers and your team’s. For example, you may clearly express your company’s vision and values, while your staff struggles to identify them. These disconnects offer an opportunity to better communicate and refine your vision.

Why Company Culture Matters

When a company’s leadership and its employees are on the same path, growth happens.

What might this look like, exactly?

Internally, Craig says there are four aspects of a strong culture: a clear purpose, an environment of trust, an engaged team, and continued learning. Below are questions that may help you reflect on your company’s own culture:

  • Do your employees feel that their job matters?
  • Does each job contribute to the success of the company?
  • Is your team prepared to fulfill its purpose?
  • Are your employees trusting of you and each other?
  • Is learning a priority in your company?

You are on the right path if you answered “yes” to most or all of these questions. Yet, there is always room for more growth and improvement. As Craig says, “Happiness may ultimately come from within, but job satisfaction begins with job creators caring about the people in their charge.”

Now, we know a strong culture is the key to a successful company. Next, let’s examine ways to grow and improve company culture.

How to Improve Culture

Does improving your HME company’s culture feel daunting, impossible, even? It doesn’t have to.

Below are some suggestions that you can implement today.

  1. Talk to your employees. Find out what they like and dislike about their jobs. What parts of their jobs contribute positively to your company? What parts are ineffective, distracting, or time-wasting? Once you’ve identified these positives and negatives, you can work to refine them.
  2. Ask your team what they need to successfully fulfill their duties. Maybe this includes better communication, updated software, or more frequent meetings. Keep a running list of these needs and prioritize them. What can you resolve today? This week? This quarter?
  3. Review your employee handbook. Do you clearly outline the rules and guidelines for your employees to follow? These handbooks are living, breathing documents! As a business owner, it is your responsibility to update this handbook regularly. For example, if there is a distrust of company property or a distrust of employees pulling their weight, it is time to reestablish and redefine what trust truly means within your company.
  4. Aid your employees’ growth. As you look at the year(s) ahead, what skills will your employees need to advance themselves and your company as a whole? Sites such as Udemy and Lynda are excellent resources that offer a wide variety of extremely affordable courses in medical billing and more.

Opportunities for improving your culture are endless. Do you need help to lighten the load?

If so, contact Prochant today. Our billing experts are ready to help you become more profitable. After all, a profitable company has a strong culture that supports it.


Prochant is the nation’s leading HME billing and process outsourcing company. Our highly-skilled team helps providers become more profitable by outsourcing or enhancing front- and back-office processes. We rapidly implement changes and proactively monitor metrics to ensure client success. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, we work with top medical equipment providers and health systems.