How much does medical billing cost for a small practice in Michigan?

Medical billing for small practices typically costs 4% to 10% of collected revenue. The exact percentage depends on your specialty, claim volume, and what services are included. Full-service billing should cover eligibility verification, claims submission, denial management, and AR follow-up.

Read answer

What is the difference between medical billing and medical coding?

Medical coding translates diagnoses and procedures into standardized codes. Medical billing submits those codes as claims and handles collections. They work together in the revenue cycle, and mistakes in either function lead to lost revenue.

Read answer

How do I reduce claim denials at my medical practice?

Most claim denials are preventable with proper front-end processes. Focus on eligibility verification, prior authorization, accurate coding, and complete documentation to get claims paid the first time.

Read answer

What should I look for when hiring a medical billing service?

Look for specialty-specific experience, HIPAA compliance, transparent reporting, and a clear denial management process. The right billing service should communicate regularly about your revenue cycle and integrate smoothly with your practice management system.

Read answer

How does revenue cycle management work for dental practices?

Revenue cycle management covers every step from scheduling to final payment collection. It includes eligibility verification, claims submission with proper CDT codes, payment posting, denial management, and AR follow-up.

Read answer

Why are my insurance claims getting denied?

Insurance claims get denied for reasons including missing prior authorization, eligibility verification failures, coding errors, and incomplete patient information. Most denials are preventable with proper front-end processes.

Read answer

What is prior authorization and why does it cause claim denials?

Prior authorization is pre-approval from an insurance company confirming that a service is medically necessary before it's performed. Claims get denied when authorization isn't obtained, expires before the service date, or doesn't match the procedure actually performed.

Read answer

How do I handle accounts receivable for a dental office?

Dental AR requires managing two collection tracks: insurance claims and patient balances. Focus on front-end verification and same-day claims submission to prevent AR problems before they start.

Read answer

What bookkeeping software works best for medical practices?

QuickBooks Online is the practical choice for most medical practices. It's the industry standard, integrates with most practice management systems, and any bookkeeper or accountant you work with will know how to use it.

Read answer

How do I track patient payments and insurance reimbursements?

Track patient payments and insurance reimbursements by posting each payment to specific charges in your practice management system. Reconcile posted payments to bank deposits weekly and monitor patient balances separately from insurance AR.

Read answer

What is HIPAA-compliant bookkeeping for healthcare providers?

HIPAA-compliant bookkeeping means protecting patient information that appears in financial records. It requires Business Associate Agreements, encrypted systems, secure data handling, and proper training for anyone accessing healthcare financial data.

Read answer

How do dental practices manage insurance billing and patient copays?

Dental practices manage billing by verifying coverage before treatment, submitting claims with accurate CDT codes, posting insurance payments, and collecting patient portions at the time of service.

Read answer

What are common medical billing errors that cost practices money?

Common billing errors include failing to verify patient eligibility, using incorrect procedure or diagnosis codes, missing timely filing deadlines, and not following up on denied claims. These mistakes can cost practices thousands in lost revenue each month.

Read answer