If you want a single number that tells you how well your practice is actually getting paid, the net collection rate is it. It cuts through the noise of gross charges and list prices and gets straight to the question that matters most. Out of the money you were contractually entitled to collect, how much […]
Medical Billing, Net Collection Rate, Revenue Cycle Management
A medical billing workflow is the sequence of steps a claim goes through from patient check-in to final payment. When that sequence works, clean claims get submitted quickly, payments post on time, and denials stay low. When it breaks down at any step, including patient eligibility verification, charge capture, coding review, or claim submission, revenue […]
Billing Workflow, Denial Management, Medical Billing, Medical Billing Workflow
Verification of Benefits, commonly called VOB, is the process of confirming a patient’s insurance coverage details before services are rendered. A complete VOB check establishes the patient’s active coverage status, deductible amounts and how much has been met, copay and coinsurance obligations, prior authorization requirements for the planned services, and whether the provider is in-network […]
Medical Billing, Verification of Benefits, VOB, What's a VOB?
Average Revenue Per Encounter (ARE) is the total net revenue a medical practice collects divided by the total number of patient encounters over a given period. The formula is straightforward: Total Revenue Collected divided by Total Number of Patient Encounters equals ARE. A practice that collected $90,000 last month across 600 patient visits has an […]
Average Revenue Per Encounter, Average Revenue Per Patient Encounter, Coding and Billing, Medical Billing
Out-of-network billing operates without a contracted rate, which means the provider sets their charges and the payer determines what they consider an appropriate payment, and those two numbers are rarely the same. Payers use methodologies like “usual and customary” rates, “allowed amounts,” and geographic database benchmarks to calculate payments that frequently fall well below the […]
Medical Billing, OON, Out of Network, Out-of-Network Provider
Getting paid for the healthcare services you provide should be straightforward. You deliver quality care, submit your claims, and receive payment. Yet for many healthcare providers, the reality looks quite different. Claims get denied, payments are delayed, and the administrative burden grows heavier each month. If you’re tired of seeing rejection letters pile up on […]
Denial Management, Denied Claims, Medical Billing, RCM
General surgery practices rely on accurate CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) coding to ensure proper reimbursement and maintain compliance with healthcare billing standards. Knowledge of the most commonly used codes in general surgery billing is essential for medical coders, practice administrators, and healthcare providers working in this specialty. CPT Code Categories in General Surgery The CPT […]
General Surgery Billing, General Surgery CPT Codes, Medical Billing
Every healthcare provider knows the feeling. It starts with a subtle knot in your stomach as you review the day’s claims submissions. Your mind races through the endless possibilities of what could go wrong: Was the diagnosis code correct? Did we document everything properly? Will this claim be denied… again? Welcome to “Claimxiety,” that unique blend […]
Denied Claims, Medical Billing, Medical Billing Errors, Medical Claim Denials, Medical Claim Rejection
Medical billing isn’t exactly the most exciting part of running a healthcare practice. Those numbers directly impact whether your practice thrives or struggles. Having worked with countless medical practices over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how setting clear, strategic billing goals can transform a practice’s financial health. Why Traditional Billing Goals Often Fall Short Traditional […]
Billing Goals, Medical Billing, Revenue Cycle Management, SMART goals
When healthcare providers search for “medical billing near me,” they’re looking for reliable, professional services that understand their local healthcare landscape. While we’re based just north of Pittsburgh, PA, where we’ve been serving the community for decades, our expertise extends across the United States, providing specialized medical billing and credentialing services to healthcare providers in […]
Billing, Medical Billing, Medical Billing Near Me
The healthcare industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation with the introduction of the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). This comprehensive update to the global standard for health data, clinical documentation, and statistical aggregation promises to revolutionize medical billing practices. The key features of ICD-11 and its potential impacts on the […]
ICD Codes, ICD-10 to ICD-11, Medical Billing, Revenue Cycle Management
You run a medical practice or a healthcare facility, and the clinical side of the job is demanding enough without billing chaos on top of it. But if nobody has ever sat down and mapped out your practice’s actual billing workflow, step by step, that gap is costing you money right now. Billing is what […]
Billing Best Practice, Denial Management, Financial Visibility, Medical Billing, Revenue Cycle Management
The healthcare industry is undergoing massive changes. With rising costs, declining reimbursements, and shift towards value-based care, healthcare providers face significant financial pressures. At the same time, patients demand superior access, quality, and lower out-of-pocket costs. To thrive in this environment, healthcare organizations must adopt a strategic approach to revenue optimization. Revenue optimization involves systematically […]
Clinical Documentation, Medical Billing, Revenue Cycle Management, Revenue Integrity, Value Based Care
In the intricate world of medical billing and coding, understanding Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes is paramount. These codes act as a universal language, facilitating seamless communication between healthcare providers and insurance entities. Let’s delve into the realm of CPT codes, exploring their significance and shedding light on the most commonly used ones. Decoding CPT Codes: […]
CPT Codes, Medical Billing, Medical Reimbursement, Revenue Cycle Management
Medical billing is a complex and ever-evolving field. With constant changes in regulations, coding guidelines, reimbursement rates, and technology, medical billing services must continuously adapt and improve to stay competitive. Taking your medical billing to the next level requires focusing on efficiency, optimization, training, and utilizing the latest tools and software. Implementing the strategies outlined […]
Clearinghouse, EDI, Healthcare, Healthcare Billing, Medical, Medical Billing, Medical Billing Strategy, RCM, Revenue Cycle, Revenue Cycle Management, Revenue Cycle Optimization, Robotic Process Automation, ROI, RPARevenue cycle management (RCM) is a critical component of running a successful and financially stable medical practice. However, with the complexity of medical billing and constantly changing payer rules, many healthcare providers struggle to manage their revenue cycle effectively. This results in lost revenue due to suboptimal reimbursement rates, denial rates, collection rates, and other […]
Medical Billing, RCM, Revenue Cycle Management, Revenue Leakage, Robotic Process Automation
At first glance, medical billing and professional sports seem to occupy opposite ends of the career spectrum. However, there are interesting parallels in how these two worlds operate when it comes to finances, data, and competition. Drawing comparisons between the healthcare administration and athletics provides unique insights that billing professionals can apply to enhance their […]
AI, Artificial Intelligence, Claim Data, Data, Healthcare, Healthcare Billing, Medical, Medical Billing, Medical Billing Service, Outsourced Billing, Outsourced Medical Billing, RCM, Revenue Cycle, Revenue Cycle Management, Revenue Cycle Optimization, Sports, Sports vs Billing
Speech-language pathology services are critical for evaluating and treating communication disorders, swallowing difficulties, and cognitive-linguistic impairments. However, selecting the proper CPT codes for speech therapy can be complex given the many types of assessments, modalities, and interventions provided. We examine the most frequently used Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes that speech therapists report to receive […]
CPT Codes, Evaluation Codes, Medical Billing, Speech Billing, Speech Therapy Billing
The healthcare industry has undergone massive changes in recent years, fueled by advances in technology and a shift towards patient-centered care. However, one area that still has untapped potential is the use of Health Level 7 (HL7) standards. HL7 provides a framework for exchanging clinical and administrative data between software applications used by various healthcare […]
EHR Integration, FHIR, Interoperability, Medical Billing, RPANursing facilities fulfill a critical role in the post-acute care continuum by providing rehabilitation and custodial care services to patients not yet ready to transition home after hospitalization. The range of skilled nursing services offered enables recovery and stabilization for populations such as post-surgical patients, those with newly diagnosed illnesses requiring education and management, individuals […]
CPT Codes, Medical Billing, Nursing Facility Evaluation, Skilled Nursing Billing, Skilled Nursing FacilitiesA medical claim is the formal request a healthcare provider submits to an insurance payer asking for reimbursement for services delivered to a covered patient. Every claim contains standardized codes identifying the diagnosis, the procedure performed, and the provider who delivered care, along with patient demographics, insurance information, and the amount billed. The payer reviews […]
Claim Denials, Claim Rejection, Denial Management, Medical Billing, Medical Claims
As healthcare payers implement more rigorous utilization management programs, denial rates on medical claims have been steadily climbing – up to nearly 10-15% on average for practices based on reports. Denials directly impact revenues and practice bottom lines due to the costs of reworking and appealing claims. We offer an overview of building a denial […]
Claim Denials, Denial Codes, Denial Prevention Strategy, Denied Medical Claims, Medical Billing
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered an explosion in telehealth utilization across healthcare. While telehealth billing processes matured during the public health emergency, new complexities are emerging as virtual care delivery models expand. Practices must stay updated on billing and coding guidelines for telemedicine services spanning video visits, remote patient monitoring, mental health apps, and more. We […]
Medical Billing, RCM, Remote Patient Monitoring, Telehealth, Telemedicine
For any medical practice, timely insurance reimbursement is essential for financial viability and supporting smooth practice operations. However, elongated claim payment cycles strain cash flow and necessitate borrowing to cover costs in the interim. Below, we explore techniques to accelerate payer payments and optimize the speed of the medical revenue cycle. Diagnosing Causes of Lagging […]
Cash Flow Cycles, Healthcare, Healthcare Billing, Medical, Medical Billing, Medical Billing Service, Medical Billing Strategy, RCM, Reimbursement, Reimbursement Rates, Revenue Cycle, Revenue Cycle Management, Revenue Cycle Optimization
For medical practices, claim denials have always been a fact of life when dealing with health insurers. However, trends show claim denial rates growing year over year, driven by increased utilization management efforts by payers. Denials directly impact practice revenues and the time/costs tied to appealing denials. Below, we take a gander at the factors […]
Denial Codes, Denial Prevention Strategy, Denial Trends, Denials, Medical Billing