Introduction
For small medical practices in the United States, managing revenue effectively is key to staying financially healthy. One of the smartest moves is outsourcing medical billing—something that can take a huge weight off your team’s shoulders while boosting your revenue. In fact, medical billing errors cost healthcare providers a staggering $125 billion every year, and many practices leave 15-30% of their potential income on the table due to inefficient billing. That’s why choosing the right billing partner is more important than ever.
This guide walks you through the top 10 U.S.-based medical billing services designed specifically for smaller healthcare practices. We’ll cover what each service offers, what makes them stand out, their pricing, and how they can help your practice thrive financially. Let’s dive into how the right partner can transform your billing process and maximize your reimbursements!
1. Kareo
“Ideal for primary care practices that are just starting out, has no coding needs or already use Kareo EMR”
Founded in 2004, Kareo has quickly become a go-to solution for independent medical practices, processing over $45 billion in claims every year for more than 75,000 providers across all 50 states. What sets Kareo apart is its deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by small, independent practices. By focusing specifically on these providers, Kareo has developed workflows that truly cater to their needs.
With its cloud-based platform handling around 1.5 million claims daily, Kareo boasts an impressive 95% first-pass acceptance rate. This streamlined process cuts the typical 30-day billing cycle down to just 16 days for most routine claims, helping practices get paid faster and more efficiently.
2. AdvancedMD
“Ideal for specialist practices that are just starting out, have simple coding needs or already use AdvancedMD EMR”
With over 25 years of experience in healthcare technology, AdvancedMD has become a trusted partner for more than 43,000 practitioners across the country. What’s truly impressive is their 96% client retention rate—well above the industry average of 75%. This speaks to the value and trust they’ve built with healthcare providers over the years.
When it comes to revenue cycle management, AdvancedMD delivers real results. Their proprietary ClaimsManager system is a game-changer, analyzing over 3.5 million payer-specific rules before submitting claims, which helps achieve an industry-leading clean claims rate of 99%.
“Ideal for high-growth clinics that have complex coding requirements or have old AR that needs addressing”
Since launching in 2018, Primrose Health has quickly become a standout in the medical billing industry, thanks to its tech-savvy approach to revenue cycle management for independent practices. Their AI-powered platform processes over $120 million in medical claims each year, and practices using Primrose typically see a 28% reduction in denial rates within just the first three months.
What truly sets Primrose apart is their speedy implementation process, taking just 18 days on average to get practices fully set up—much faster than the typical 45 to 60 days most companies require. This quick turnaround helps minimize disruptions to cash flow during the transition. Internal data shows that 94% of their small practice clients report noticeable improvements in workflow, saving about 12 hours per week per provider in administrative tasks. Practices using their billing services typically see an 11.2% increase in revenue per patient encounter and a 29% reduction in the time it takes to get paid.
4. athenahealth
“Ideal for large primary care practices that already use Athena EMR”
As one of the biggest names in healthcare IT, athenahealth processes more than 1.5 billion claims each year. What sets them apart for small practices is their data-driven approach, using insights from a network of over 110,000 providers to constantly improve and optimize billing processes.
The results speak for themselves: practices using athenahealth’s revenue cycle management (RCM) services typically see fewer days in accounts receivable compared to the industry average.
5. DrChrono
“Ideal for tech-savvy providers who are just starting out and want an iPad-based EMR”
DrChrono, founded in 2009, quickly became a trailblazer as one of the first EHR platforms designed specifically for the iPad. Today, it’s a leader in mobile-first billing solutions, helping over 30,000 healthcare providers across the U.S. streamline their operations. By combining billing and clinical documentation into one easy-to-use platform, DrChrono has helped small practices cut down on time-consuming administrative tasks.
DrChrono’s mobile-first strategy is a game-changer for modern practices. All providers access billing data via mobile at least once a week, and 64% do so every day. This flexibility allows practices to resolve billing issues.
6. CareCloud
“Ideal for practices needing additional analytics”
CareCloud has quickly become a go-to choice for small practices thanks to its powerful data-driven approach. Serving providers across the U.S. and processing around $8 billion in claims each year, CareCloud is all about using advanced analytics to help practices optimize their revenue cycle.
Their platform helps small practices achieve impressive results, with clients seeing a 15% reduction in denial rates and a 21% improvement in first-pass acceptance rates within just the first six months. CareCloud’s system analyzes over 65 million claim data points every month, which helps identify opportunities for better reimbursements.
7. eClinicalWorks
“Ideal for value based care clinics or already use eClinicalWorks EMR”
eClinicalWorks, one of the largest healthcare IT companies catering to smaller practices, serves providers across the U.S. with a remarkable 93% client retention rate over five years. Their specialized approach to medical billing has made a big difference for small practices.
eClinicalWorks also offers a powerful payer connectivity network, connecting over 850,000 providers and 153,000 pharmacies. This network is especially valuable for small practices dealing with complex payer mixes, helping reduce claim transmission issues by 78%, according to internal data.
8. NextGen Healthcare
“Ideal for practices providing value-based care or population health management or already use NextGen EMR”
With 45 years of experience in healthcare technology, NextGen Healthcare has built a reputation as a go-to solution for small practices, now managing billing for more than 155,000 providers nationwide. Their focus on specialized, tailored solutions has delivered impressive results.
Another standout benefit of NextGen is its efficiency. Small practices using their billing services average just 24 days in accounts receivable, well ahead of the typical 35-40 days seen in the industry. This faster billing cycle translates into improved cash flow. For practices in transition between fee-for-service and value-based models, NextGen is especially valuable. This means more time to focus on patient care and less time spent on administrative headaches.
9. Billing with Precision
“Ideal for startup or solo practices”
Founded in 2011, Billing with Precision has become a trusted partner for small healthcare practices, serving over 2,500 providers across 38 states. Known for its precision in medical billing and a strong focus on client care, the company has built a reputation for accuracy and outstanding service. With an impressive 98.7% first-pass claim acceptance rate—well above the national average of 85-90%—independent audits have consistently recognized their work.
What makes Billing with Precision truly unique is their dedication to small practices. They offer a comprehensive billing solution that helps clients improve their financial performance. This success is largely driven by their meticulous denial prevention protocols and focus on improving documentation.
10. Practice Fusion
“Ideal for startups or solo primary care practices and already using PracticeFusion EMR”
With Practice Fusion, healthcare providers can easily move between patient care and billing tasks, thanks to the integration of EHR and billing systems. This setup minimizes the time spent on administrative work, ensures correct coding, and helps improve claim approval rates. Practice managers can also track performance with built-in analytics, giving them the tools to optimize their practice’s revenue and identify areas that need attention.
In addition, Practice Fusion’s medical billing service is fully compatible with the EHR platform, allowing practices to efficiently manage both clinical and financial workflows from a single system. This integration aims to reduce overhead, improve cash flow, and support practice growth.
Conclusion
Selecting the right medical billing service is a critical decision for small practices looking to optimize their revenue cycle while reducing administrative burden. By carefully evaluating each service’s specific offerings, specialty expertise, technology capabilities, and support structure, practices can identify a partner that aligns with their unique needs and goals.
The ideal billing service should function as an extension of your practice, providing not only transactional billing services but also strategic insights to improve financial performance. With the right partnership, small practices can navigate the complex healthcare reimbursement landscape while maintaining focus on their primary mission: providing quality patient care.