Top Dental Billing Challenges (and How to Solve Them)


by ROBERT McDERMOTT F


rom navigating complex insurance requirements to battling claim denials, the journey to getting paid on time is filled with obstacles. One misstep—like using the wrong medical cross-code or missing a pre-authorization—can send your revenue cycle into a tailspin. The healthcare revenue cycle is complex and involves multiple steps from insur- ance verification to claims submission and patient billing. Each stage presents challenges that can lead to claim denials, delayed payments and increased admin- istrative burdens:


• Insurance Verification Issues • Coding Errors • Manual Claim Processing • Claim Denials and Rejections • Delayed Payments • Coordination of Benefits (COB) Issues


• Lack of Patient Payment Transpar- ency


• Collections Challenges • Regulatory Compliance • Inefficient Appeals Process


Given the complexities of the health- care revenue cycle, and the potential for devastating impacts, tackling billing con- cerns is a powerful place to start when trying to alleviate strains on cash flow and financial health including:


Cash Flow Disruptions – Delayed payments from insurance companies or patients can create financial strain, making it difficult to manage day-to-day expenses.


Increased Accounts Receivable – Out- standing balances grow over time, requir- ing additional resources for collections and follow-ups.


Dental Education CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25


record and saw 147 patients and completed over 500 extractions, but we also had eight graduates there helping.”


By preparing dental students to serve their future patients and participating in univer- sity-supported outreach programs, faculty members are able to broaden their influence and enhance countless lives. The opportuni- ties for faculty to leave a lasting legacy in the field of dentistry are boundless.


Higher Claim Denial Rates – The longer a claim takes to be processed, the higher the likelihood of errors being flagged or denials due to outdated information.


Administrative Burden – Staff must spend more time tracking down unpaid claims, resubmitting denied claims, and coordinating with insurance companies.


Patient Frustration – Patients receiv- ing late or unexpected bills may become dissatisfied with the practice, leading to negative reviews and lower retention rates.


Difficulty in Revenue Forecasting – Unpredictable cash flow makes it chal- lenging to plan budgets, invest in new technology, or expand services.


Reduced Productivity – Time spent on managing delayed claims and patient billing issues takes away from more valuable tasks, such as patient care and practice growth.


Potential Compliance Issues – Delays in billing can lead to improper documenta- tion, increasing the risk of audits and penalties from regulatory agencies.


Strained Insurance Relationships – Frequent billing issues may result in increased scrutiny from payers, poten- tially leading to stricter claim reviews and lower approval rates.


Lower Profit Margins – With more time and money spent on managing delayed


CONTINUED PAGE 31


“I can speak only for myself, but I know I have found the work to be incredibly reward- ing,” Dr. Stringer says. “It is certainly a pivot from full-time clinical care, but it feels like a healthy, welcome, parallel path, rather than an abandonment of a clinical career. If you’re unsure about a full-time commitment, con- sider becoming a part-time, adjunct faculty member for a day or two per week.”


“Advice I would have for anyone thinking about becoming a professor would be to just go ahead and do it!” Dr. Weimer says. “It is the best thing I have ever done career-wise.”


Taking the next step toward academia begins with engagement. If you are a practicing or retired dentist, now is the time to consider how you can make an exponential difference in your community and profession. Mis- souri’s dental schools are eager to welcome new faculty members who are passionate about education and patient care. Your knowledge, skills and mentorship can shape the future of dentistry—one student at a time.


To view and apply for career opportunities at Missouri’s dental schools, please visit the following sites:


• ATSU-MOSDOH atsu.edu/employment • KCU College of Dental Medicine kansascity.edu/work---kcu


• UMKC School of Dentistry umkc.edu/hr/careers


Katie Hubbard, MBA, serves as writer/ editor for ATSU Communication & Marketing. She has served in this role since 2016 and as a writer in the department since 2012. Contact her at khubbard@atsu.edu.


ISSUE 1 | SPRING 2025 | focus 27


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32