Choosing a billing company means handing over the process that pays every salary in your practice. The right partner raises collections and gives you your time back. The wrong one leaves you with unworked denials and no idea why.
Key takeaways
- Look for experience in your specialty, pricing you understand and a team that works inside your EHR.
- Ask to see a sample monthly report and who will actually work your account.
- Require a signed Business Associate Agreement before any patient information is shared.
1. The type of billing company you need
Some companies only submit claims. Others also post payments, work denials, follow up on A/R, handle credentialing and report on your revenue cycle. Decide what you need done, and what your own team can still do, before you collect quotes.
2. Specialty experience and reputation
Rules differ widely between specialties. Ask how many practices like yours the company supports, and ask them to explain a few common denial reasons in your specialty. A mental health practice, for instance, should hear about time-based psychotherapy codes, add-ons and telehealth modifiers without prompting. Ask for references you can call.
3. Software and technology
A good partner works inside your existing EHR and clearinghouse. Look for:
- EHR and practice management integration, so data isn’t retyped.
- Claim scrubbing and automation that catch errors before submission.
- Real-time reporting on claim status, denial reasons and collections.
- Secure infrastructure: access controls, audit logs and regular backups.
4. Support and communication
Even the best software needs people who know your payers. Ask who your day-to-day contact is, which channels you can reach them on (phone, email, chat), how quickly questions get answered, and how often you will review results together.
Compare us with your shortlist
We’ll walk you through how Cure MB works, what it costs and what we’d change first in your billing, with no obligation.
5. Pricing you can predict
Understand exactly what you will pay: a flat fee or a percentage of collections, what the percentage applies to, and whether setup, credentialing, patient statements or old A/R cost extra. Be cautious about contracts that lock you in without a clear way to leave.
6. HIPAA and data security
A billing company that handles protected health information is a HIPAA business associate and must sign a BAA. Ask how it limits access to your systems, trains staff and handles incidents. Our own approach is described on our HIPAA and data security page.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Who will work on our account, and how do we reach them?
- How soon after notes are signed are claims submitted?
- How are denials worked, and how quickly?
- What happens to claims from before we started?
- What does a sample monthly report look like?
- What are the contract term and exit terms?
When you are ready, see our pricing and services, or read the benefits of outsourcing medical billing.
Want us to look at your numbers?
We will review your denials, A/R aging and payer mix and send you a written summary of what we would fix first. Free, and no obligation.
