(Better Business Bureau )
This article was prepared for BBB Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Coastal California by Allied Practice Management Solutions, a BBB Accredited Business.
Every medical practice owner—from the solo practitioner to the multi-location clinic—shares the same core anxiety: cash flow. You went into medicine to help patients, not to chase insurance checks or decipher cryptic denial codes. Yet, the complex administrative burden of billing and collections is often the difference between a thriving practice and one that's constantly fighting to stay afloat.
The uncomfortable truth is that many practices, even successful ones, unknowingly lose 10% to 30% of their earned revenue every year. This money often slips away due to simple coding errors, slow follow-up on unpaid claims, or poor contract management. The problem isn't usually the quality of care; it's the lack of transparency and rigor in the billing office.
Choosing a Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) partner is an act of trust, handing over control of your business's financial health and reputation. As a BBB Accredited Business, we know that trust must be earned through transparency and demonstrated competence.
Ready to stop leaving money on the table? Here are five non-negotiable checks your practice must use to identify a truly trustworthy, financially aligned medical billing partner.
- Demand absolute transparency in reporting
Many billing companies operate in a "black box"—you only see the final deposit. A trustworthy partner provides real-time, granular reports that serve as the health metrics for your business.
The must have: Insist on seeing two key metrics:
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- The denial rate: How many claims are rejected by payers. A rate above 5% is a major red flag for inefficiency.
- Days in accounts receivable (A/R): How long it takes you to get paid. A lower number means faster, healthier cash flow.
If a potential partner resists sharing these core numbers, look elsewhere.
- Prioritize commitment to compliance and ethics
A small coding or compliance error can lead to a costly audit and severely damage your practice’s reputation. A reliable RCM partner views compliance (HIPAA, coding updates, etc.) as their primary responsibility, not just an afterthought.
The must have: Ask about their internal auditing processes and how often their coders receive formal training on the latest CPT/ICD-10 updates. A trusted partner actively shields your business from regulatory risk.
- Seek Alignment on Compensation, Not Hidden Fees
Confusing pricing structures—like low percentage rates that don't cover everything—can hide costs. The most financially trustworthy model is one that clearly links the billing company's success to your collections, not just the volume of claims they send out.
The must have: Demand a clear contract that specifies exactly what is included, such as electronic submission, patient statements, and credentialing. You should never be "nickel-and-dimed" for essential services.
- Require Dedicated, Personal Service
Large national billing centers often lack accountability and force you to talk to a different representative every time you call. A high-value RCM partner offers a dedicated, named account manager who understands the unique payer mix and operational needs of your local practice.
The must have: Ensure you can easily speak to the person directly managing your accounts. Your financial health is too important to be handled by an impersonal call center queue.
- Look for True Revenue Cycle Management (RCM)
A simple billing service just submits claims. A true RCM partner should also be reviewing and renegotiating your insurance payer contracts. This is where many practices leave substantial money on the table, as outdated contracts result in chronic underpayment.
The must have: Choose a partner who actively seeks opportunities to maximize your rates, ensuring you are being paid fairly for the high quality of care you provide.
Invest in Trust
Choosing an RCM partner is not an expense—it’s an investment in the integrity and future financial health of your practice. If your current system or partner isn't offering this level of transparency and diligent compliance, it’s time to demand more.
The Better Business Bureau Serving The San Francisco Bay Area and Northern Coastal California thanks Allied Practice Management Solutions, for submitting this guest blog and being A BBB Accredited Business since October 2025.