Internal AR Audit Checklist: Optimize Your Revenue Cycle

1. Claim Submission Review

✔ Verify claims are submitted within 24-48 hours of service
✔ Confirm electronic submission rate >95%
✔ Check for missing/invalid codes (CPT®, ICD-10, modifiers)

2. Payment Posting Accuracy

✔ Reconcile ERA/EOB postings against expected payments
✔ Identify underpayments (vs. contracted rates)
✔ Flag unapplied cash (mismatched payments)

3. Denial Management

✔ Track top 5 denial reasons (e.g., CO-16, CO-29)
✔ Verify appeals filed within 5-10 days of denial
✔ Audit denial recovery rate (target >75%)

4. Patient Collections

✔ Confirm statements sent within 5 days of insurance payment
✔ Review payment plan compliance (delinquency rates)
✔ Check self-pay collection rate (benchmark: >25%)

5. AR Aging Analysis

BucketTargetAction If Over
0-30 days60-70%Monitor
31-60 days<20%Follow up
61-90 days<10%Escalate
90+ days<5%Write-off review

6. Process Gaps                                                

✔ Identify staff training needs (coding, payer rules)
✔ Evaluate technology limitations (missing automation)
✔ Document payer-specific issues (slow processors)

Audit Frequency: Monthly (high-volume practices) / Quarterly (smaller practices)

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