RCM Finder Resource Center

Healthcare RCM Blog

Practical guidance on medical billing, coding, compliance and practice growth, written for practice managers and physicians.

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Every guide is reviewed by Awais Afzal, founder of RCM Finder.

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Latest guides

Newest first. Use the page numbers at the bottom to reach every guide.

Advocates health care cost

Understanding Medical Billing Advocates: Your Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Healthcare Costs

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, patients often find themselves overwhelmed by complex medical bills. The role of Medical Billing Advocates has emerged as a beacon of hope for many, providing clarity and support. This article will delve into the importance of these advocates, their functions, and how they can significantly ease the burden of […]

Piggy bank beside a stack of medical bills and a balance scale

Medicaid Spend Down: What Expenses Count and How It Works

Medicaid spend down explained: how excess income is reduced with medical bills, which expenses count under federal rules, and what practices should do when a patient is on one.
Illustrated filing cabinet of aging invoices beside a calendar and checkmarks on a billing desk

Legacy Accounts Receivable: What It Is and How to Recover It

Old unpaid balances do not fix themselves. Learn what legacy accounts receivable is, which deadlines limit recovery and how to triage, collect and write off.
Whiteboard value stream map of a medical claim drawn with sticky notes

Lean Medical Billing: Cutting Rework in the Revenue Cycle

Lean medical billing means removing the steps and handoffs that make claims come back. Learn the eight wastes in billing terms and how to start with one defect.
Illustrated medication vial and syringe next to a billing form

J-Codes in Medical Billing: Units, JW/JZ Modifiers and NDCs

J-codes name the drug and the billing unit on a claim line. Learn how to count units, when JW and JZ apply, and when the NDC is needed.
Understanding insurance denials

Understanding Insurance Denials in Medical Billing: How to Avoid Common Pitfalls

Insurance denials can significantly impact the revenue cycle management (RCM) of healthcare practices. As the healthcare landscape becomes increasingly complex, understanding the nuances of insurance claims is vital for providers aiming to maintain financial health. This comprehensive guide will delve into the top reasons for insurance denials, their implications, and effective strategies to prevent them, […]

Illustrated bed with a crescent moon and a small clock for an insomnia ICD-10 coding guide

Insomnia ICD-10 Codes: G47.00, G47.01, G47.09 and F51.0x

Which insomnia ICD-10 codes are valid for claims, how G47.0x differs from F51.0x, and what the Excludes2 notes really allow.
Illustrated biller comparing a hospital claim form and a doctor's office claim form side by side

Institutional vs Professional Claims: UB-04 vs CMS-1500 Explained

Institutional vs professional claims differ by who bills and which form carries the bill. Here is how the UB-04 (837I) and CMS-1500 (837P) compare, and why one visit can need both.
Desk with a mental health diagnosis code index card, clipboard and calm head silhouette

ICD-10 Codes for Mental Health: FY2027 Diagnosis Guide

A sourced FY2027 map of ICD-10 codes for mental health: example F codes, how specific a diagnosis must be, and the old cheat-sheet errors to retire.
Illustrated medical coder with a spine outline and a clipboard of back pain code cards

ICD-10 Codes for Back Pain: M54.9, M54.50 and Sciatica

Which ICD-10 code fits back pain, low back pain or sciatica? A plain guide to M54.9, M54.50, M54.51, M54.59 and the Excludes1 rules that decide which codes can share a claim.
Billing team member comparing a thyroid note with hypothyroidism ICD-10 code cards E03.9 and E89.0

Hypothyroidism ICD-10 Codes: E03.9, E03.8 and E89.0 Explained

Which hypothyroidism ICD-10 code fits, when E03.9 is not enough, and what E89.0 and the Excludes1 notes mean for your claims. Checked against the FY2027 code set.
Blood sample tube with a code tag beside a medical coder at a desk

ICD-10 Code for Leukocytosis: D72.829 and When to Use It

D72.829 is the ICD-10-CM code for leukocytosis when no type or cause is documented. See the D72.82x family, the Excludes notes and what the chart must show.

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