How to Reduce Billing Delays: 3 Proven Pre-Billing Steps

In hospice, home health and palliative care, billing delays impact much more than bottom lines. They affect an agency’s ability to provide uninterrupted care. 

One of the most common causes of billing delays is missing or incorrect documentation during the pre-billing process. Fortunately, with the right systems in place, these issues can be prevented.

At Advanced Revenue Cycle Management (ARCM), we’ve seen how small improvements to pre-billing processes can have a big impact on revenue cycle performance. With our standardized pre-billing checklists for hospice, home health and palliative care, we help agencies remove the roadblocks of billing delays. Built on industry best practices, our pre-billing checklists cover key areas, including: 

1. Verifying Documentation Timelines

Timely and accurate documentation is the backbone of clean claims. Ensuring that visit notes, certifications and recertifications are completed within required timeframes reduces denials and prevents claims from being held up.

2. Cross-Checking Plan of Care Requirements

Incomplete or missing details in a plan of care are a frequent source of billing errors. Reviewing the plan of care against payer requirements ensures compliance and smooth claim submission.

3. Reviewing Authorizations and Certifications

Authorization lapses and missing certifications can stop claims in their tracks. A systematic pre-billing check ensures these documents are current and correct before submission.

4. Confirming Eligibility and Coverage

Verify insurance eligibility and confirm benefits before you bill services to help prevent costly denials and rework later.

5. Confirming Signatures

Unsigned orders or missing physician signatures are small oversights that create major billing delays. Checking for these upfront keeps claims moving.

Small Adjustments, Big Results

Agencies that consistently follow these pre-billing best practices see faster payments, fewer denials and stronger cash flow. More importantly, they gain peace of mind knowing billing is handled accurately.

Want to simplify your billing process? Download our pre-billing checklist and start reducing billing delays today.