A simple A/R follow-up routine for small practices

Unpaid claims don't fix themselves, and they get harder to collect the older they get. A simple weekly routine keeps accounts receivable under control without a full-time billing department.

Look at aging every week

Sort open claims by age: 0–30, 31–60, 61–90 and over 90 days. Anything moving into the next bucket needs attention.

Work the biggest and oldest first

Start with high-dollar claims over 60 days. They matter most and have the least time left.

A/R is easier to keep low than to bring down.

Call, don't just wait

A short call to the payer often finds a missing document or a simple fix. Note what you learned on the account.

Close the loop

Resubmit, appeal or write off with a reason. A claim with no next step is a claim that will be forgotten.

What to do next

• Run an aging report today.
• Pick the ten oldest, largest claims and work them this week.
• Set a weekly time for follow-up and protect it.