Out with the old and in with the New

Why This Topic Matters

Year-end is a common time to clean up outstanding claims, review payer relationships, and confirm that systems and staff are prepared for upcoming coding and billing changes. This guidance helps practices identify operational areas that can affect cash flow, compliance exposure, and administrative readiness going into the new year.

Article Sections

1. AR Recovery

   Discusses year-end review of outstanding claims and general follow-up on unpaid accounts. The section focuses on evaluating claim status and identifying issues that may affect collections.

2. Compliance

   Covers the importance of reviewing compliance plans and auditing billing and coding processes. It emphasizes documentation review and general readiness for oversight concerns.

3. Contracts

   Addresses review of payer contracts and general assessment of insurer performance. The section also discusses considering contract terms and renewal structure.

4. Coding

   Summarizes the need to keep coding resources, software, and staff training current. It also references preparation for major code set transitions and testing requirements.

5. Debt Collection

   Reviews the role and performance of outside collection agencies. The section focuses on general oversight to ensure appropriate collection practices.