How to Monitor Your Practice’s A/R
Accounts receivable is an important part of the healthcare revenue cycle.
Monitoring A/R helps practices understand what remains outstanding, which accounts require follow-up, and where billing issues may be occurring.
A consistent monitoring process can provide better visibility into unresolved claims.
1. Review Total A/R
Start by reviewing the total outstanding A/R.
This provides a high-level view of the amount currently remaining unpaid.
However, total A/R alone doesn’t explain why accounts remain outstanding.
2. Review A/R by Aging
Break outstanding accounts into aging categories.
For example:
- Current
- 31–60 days
- 61–90 days
- 91–120 days
- 120+ days
This helps identify accounts that have remained unresolved for longer periods.
3. Identify Denied Claims
Separate denied claims from other outstanding accounts.
Denied claims may require correction, resubmission, appeal, or additional payer follow-up depending on the reason.
4. Monitor Claim Status
Review outstanding claims to determine their current status.
Questions to consider include:
- Was the claim received?
- Is it still processing?
- Was it rejected?
- Was it denied?
- Is additional information required?
- Has payment been issued?
5. Review Payer Activity
Look for patterns involving specific payers.
For example, practices may identify recurring issues with claim processing, documentation requests, or other payer requirements.
6. Review EOB and ERA Information
EOBs and ERAs provide information about payments, adjustments, denials, and patient responsibility.
Reviewing these records helps the billing team understand how claims were processed and what balances remain.
7. Track Follow-Up Activity
Keep a record of A/R follow-up.
This helps the team know:
- When the account was last reviewed
- Who followed up
- What the payer said
- What action was taken
- What needs to happen next
8. Look for Recurring Problems
A/R monitoring isn’t only about individual claims.
Reviewing trends can help practices identify recurring problems in their billing workflow.
For example, repeated denials may indicate that a particular part of the billing process needs further review.
Create a Consistent A/R Review Process
A simple recurring process might look like:
Review → Identify → Investigate → Follow Up → Document → Monitor → Resolve
The exact workflow can vary depending on the practice and payer mix.
Final Thoughts
Regular A/R monitoring helps practices maintain visibility over outstanding claims and identify accounts requiring attention.
The goal isn’t simply to look at a report. It is to understand why accounts remain outstanding and determine what action is appropriate.
MBP Medi provides A/R follow-up and denial management support for U.S. healthcare practices.