What to Ask Before Hiring a Podiatry Billing Company
Choosing a medical billing company is one of the most important financial decisions a podiatry practice can make.
The right partner improves cash flow, reduces stress, and protects compliance. The wrong one can increase denials, create reporting blind spots, and cost your practice thousands in lost revenue.
At JARALL, we encourage podiatrists to ask tough questions — even if they’re not choosing us. Here are the most important questions every podiatry practice should ask before hiring a billing company.
1. Do You Specialize in Podiatry Billing?
This is the most important question — and one that’s often overlooked.
Podiatry billing involves:
- Routine foot care rules
- Frequency limitations
- Complex modifier usage
- Strict documentation standards
A general billing company may not understand these nuances. Specialty expertise matters.
2. How Do You Prevent Denials — Not Just Fix Them?
Ask how the company:
- Tracks denial trends
- Identifies root causes
- Prevents recurring errors
Reactive billing leads to constant rework. Proactive billing protects revenue.
3. What KPIs Will You Track and Report?
A billing partner should provide clear, transparent reporting, including:
- A/R days
- Denial rate
- Net collection rate
- Clean claim rate
If they can’t explain these metrics clearly, that’s a red flag.
4. How Do You Handle Denial Follow-Up and Appeals?
Not all billing companies aggressively pursue denied claims.
Ask:
- Who works denials?
- How often are they followed up?
- What’s the appeal process?
Unworked denials = lost revenue.
5. Will I Have Visibility Into My Data?
You should never feel in the dark about your own revenue.
Ask:
- Will I receive regular reports?
- Can I ask questions and get clear answers?
- Who is my point of contact?
Transparency builds trust.
6. How Do You Support Compliance and Audit Readiness?
Podiatry practices face ongoing audit risk.
A strong billing partner helps by:
- Ensuring documentation supports medical necessity
- Following payer-specific rules
- Identifying compliance risks early
Billing errors can increase audit exposure.
7. How Does the Transition Process Work?
Switching billing companies shouldn’t disrupt your practice.
Ask:
- How long onboarding takes
- What information is needed
- How claims are handled during the transition
A smooth transition protects cash flow.
8. How Are Fees Structured?
Understand:
- Percentage vs. flat fees
- What services are included
- Any hidden costs
The cheapest option often costs the most in lost revenue.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a podiatry billing company isn’t just about outsourcing tasks — it’s about choosing a financial partner.
The right billing company understands podiatry, prioritizes denial prevention, provides transparency, and protects your revenue.
At JARALL, we believe informed practices make better decisions. Asking the right questions is the first step toward a stronger, more predictable revenue cycle.