Billing is not just a factor in the financial success of your dental practice; it is a factor in the efficiency of your staff, the patient experience, and patient retention. Unfortunately, many practices choose to manage billing internally without realizing how costly and inefficient it can be. Understanding the top mistakes dental practices make with in-house billing can help you avoid financial losses, reduce stress, and improve cash flow.
Staff With Too Much To Do
One of the most common mistakes dental practices make with in-house billing is assigning billing duties to front desk staff who are not adequately trained in dental coding, insurance processes, or claims follow-up. These employees are often juggling phone calls, patient check-ins, scheduling, and billing, which means there isn’t much time to tackle billing issues.
Billing requires specialized knowledge and constant attention. When billing isn’t handled by a dedicated expert, mistakes are more likely to happen. Incorrect codes, missed claim deadlines, and poor documentation can all result in denied or delayed payments.
Inefficient Follow-Up for Claims
Insurance companies don’t always pay promptly, and they certainly don’t make it easy to know that a claim has been denied or delayed. One of the key mistakes dental practices make with in-house billing is failing to follow up aggressively and systematically on unpaid or rejected claims. This could leave thousands of dollars on the table each month.
An outsourced dental billing partner can track every claim, identify red flags quickly, and resubmit claims with the correct information. Their sole focus is to get you paid, which is difficult to maintain when billing is just one of many responsibilities for your team.
Not Staying on Top of Coding and Compliance Changes
The dental industry is constantly evolving, and so are insurance requirements and codes. Failing to keep up with these changes is one of the overlooked mistakes dental practices make with in-house billing. Using outdated codes or submitting incomplete documentation can trigger claim denials and even legal scrutiny from insurance providers.
Professional billing companies make it their business to stay current with all coding and compliance updates. This helps ensure your claims are accurate, legal, and aligned with the latest industry standards. You can rest assured that the claims submitted for your practice will be accurate and in line with all best practices.
Delayed Claim Submissions
As the saying goes, time is money. Another one of the frequent mistakes dental practices make with in-house billing is not submitting claims promptly. Delays in claim submission can push you outside the payer’s timely filing window, resulting in claim denials that can no longer be appealed.
An outsourced billing team ensures that claims are submitted daily, reducing turnaround times and improving cash flow. Faster payments mean a healthier, more predictable revenue stream for your practice.
Don’t Fear Your Finances with APEX Reimbursement Specialists
If you are ready to get the most out of your practice or learn more about reimbursement negotiation, APEX Reimbursement Specialists is here to help. Contact our team today by calling (410) 710-6005. We look forward to working with you to make your practice a more profitable place.