What practice managers usually ask before they fill out the form.
How do medical billing services charge?
Most charge a share of what they collect each month, so the fee rises and falls with your receipts. Some charge a flat monthly rate or a per-claim fee instead, which can be cheaper for high-volume, low-dollar specialties. Setup fees, software fees, and credentialing are often priced separately. Ask each company to spell out exactly what is included so the proposals compare cleanly.
What does a billing service actually do?
Charge entry, claim scrubbing and submission, payment posting, denial and rejection follow-up, patient statements, and accounts receivable work on anything that is still unpaid. Many also do coding, eligibility checks, prior authorizations, and provider credentialing. Some only do the back half and leave coding to your office. Tell them what you want to hand off.
Will I have to change my practice management or EHR software?
Usually not. Most billing companies work inside the system you already have, or connect to it. Some prefer their own platform and will quote a migration. If staying on your current software matters to you, say so up front and only compare companies that will work in it.
How long does it take to switch billing companies?
Figure thirty to ninety days from signing to the first claims going out, longer if payer enrollments or credentialing have to be redone. The old receivables need a plan too: some companies work your existing AR for a fee, others start fresh. Ask how the handoff is staged so cash flow does not drop during the switch.
Should I outsource or keep billing in house?
In house makes sense when you have an experienced biller, enough volume to keep them busy, and a manager who watches the numbers. Outsourcing makes sense when a biller leaves, when denials are climbing and nobody has time to work them, when you are adding providers or locations, or when the specialty has coding rules your staff does not know well. Many practices run a hybrid: front desk and coding in house, claims and AR outsourced.
Does the billing company need to know my specialty?
It helps a lot. Modifiers, bundling edits, medical necessity rules, and payer quirks differ by specialty, and a biller who does not know them will leave money on the table. Ask what share of the company's clients are in your specialty and for a reference you can call.
What should I look for in a proposal?
The fee and what it covers, who your day-to-day contact is, how denials are worked and how fast, what reports you get and how often, how patient calls and statements are handled, the contract length and exit terms, and whether they are compliant with HIPAA and will sign a business associate agreement.
How many billing companies will contact me?
A handful that match your specialty, size, and location, not a flood. You can talk to all of them or just one. There is no fee for the request and no obligation to sign with anyone.
