A healthy revenue cycle is the backbone of any successful medical practice. Yet many providers unknowingly make costly mistakes that lead to lost revenue, delayed payments, and mounting A/R. Here are the five most common RCM mistakes and how to correct them.
1. Poor Claim Scrubbing and Coding Errors
Even small coding errors can lead to claim denials. Incomplete documentation or incorrect modifiers add days (or weeks) to the reimbursement timeline. Fix it: Use a billing partner that offers advanced claim scrubbing and specialty-specific coding accuracy.
2. Lack of Follow-up on Denials
Too many practices write off denied claims or don’t resubmit them in time. Fix it: Have a system in place for aggressive denial management and appeals. AMS handles appeals with speed and precision.
3. Inadequate Payer Contract Oversight
If you’re not tracking how payers are reimbursing you, you may be losing thousands annually. Fix it: Regularly audit payer reimbursements and renegotiate underpaying contracts.
4. Poor Patient Collections Process
If your front desk isn’t collecting co-pays or your billing team isn’t following up, patient balances go uncollected. Fix it: Use automated reminders, online payment portals, and a clear patient financial policy.
5. Outdated Technology and Manual Processes
If your team is still printing, mailing, or manually updating data, you’re wasting time and money. Fix it: Outsource to a billing company with modern tech and automated workflows.
Avoiding these pitfalls is easier when you have the right partner. AMS Billing Solutions helps medical practices across the U.S. streamline their RCM, reduce denials, and maximize collections.