While looking to succeed in the dental industry, practitioners need to keep an eye on the financial side of things in addition to delivering excellent patient care. According to the Survey of Dental Practice, general dentists in private practice earn a net income of $218,710, while specialists earn about $345,860.
Looking at these figures, we can see how important it is for small dental practices to optimize their operations and protect their earnings. One of the greatest challenges dentists face is managing billing and insurance claims. For this, they usually have two options: hiring an in-house dental insurance coordinator or outsourcing dental billing services.
Throughout this article, we’ll compare both of these dental billing solutions to help you make an informed choice. Keep reading till the end to discover how outsourcing can transform your practice’s financial health.
Why In-House Dental Medical Billing Services Fail for Small Healthcare Practices?
Considering the financial challenges faced by small dental practices, they need to understand the limitations of in-house dental billing to avoid making costly hiring decisions. Acknowledging the following challenges will help you recognize the importance of alternative solutions, such as outsourcing.
1. High Overhead Costs
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a dental office insurance coordinator is $21 per hour. When talking about the yearly income, these figures range between $31000 and $55000, depending on benefits. Working for these salaries, one or two billing employees must juggle multiple roles, which further increases training costs.
2. Limited Specialized Knowledge
As this field is quite complex, dental billers require proficiency in CDT, ICD-10, and sometimes CPT codes for medical cross-coding. Your in-house staff may lack the advanced training needed to navigate these systems accurately, leading to denied claims.
For instance, writing D4341 instead of D4910 code for periodontal maintenance could result in delaying reimbursements and affecting cash flow.
3. Time Constraints
Hired dental billers at small practices often multitask to schedule appointments and assist chairside. Therefore, billing becomes an afterthought rather than a priority for them, which delays claims submission and follow-ups. While facing emergencies, an employee may prioritize patient check-ins over timely claim submissions, leading to delayed payments.
4. Limited Technology Infrastructure
To effectively perform dental billing, you will need updated software, electronic claims submission, and other coding tools. However, many small practices cannot afford or manage this technology internally. Without access to advanced billing software, practices may rely on manual processes, increasing the likelihood of inefficiencies.
5. Increased Error Rates
In-house billing, especially when handled by under-trained staff, is prone to errors such as incorrect coding, missing documentation, or filing to the wrong payer. Even a single-digit error in a patient’s insurance ID or dental coding can lead to claim rejection.
In-House vs. Outsourced Dental Billing Services Comparison
As we have seen, small-scale practitioners will face many challenges if they opt for in-house dental medical billing services. So, they should look to relieve the financial burden from their shoulders by choosing to outsource dental billing. To make a better decision for your small dental clinic, go through this detailed comparison.
| Metrics | In-House Billing Team | Outsourced Dental Billing Services |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Fixed salary ranging from $30000 to $55000 annually | Around 4 to 10% of the revenue collected (a small dental clinic earning around $200000 yearly will only need to pay $10000 per annum on average) |
| Claim Success Rate | Only 60% on average | Up to 98% |
| Expertise Level | Dependent on the hiring and training of individuals | Specialized teams with industry-certified billers |
| Errors | Frequent due to staff shortage | Minimal |
| Technology | Need a separate investment | Outsourcers typically provide secure RCM software, automated claim scrubbing, and integrated practice analytics |
| Reporting and Analytics | Manual reporting | Automated real-time reporting |
| Scalability | Scaling requires hiring more staff and upgrading the system | Easily scalable without internal overhead |
| Time to Revenue | May experience delays if internal bottlenecks occur (staff shortage or vacation) | Faster reimbursement cycle due to optimized processes and early error detection |
Keeping in view all the points discussed in this table, we can conclude that outsourcing dental billing and coding services is the way to go. With lower cost and minimal errors, these dental billing companies will help your small clinic earn more revenue.
Outsource to the Best Dental Billing Company from Our Top Picks
After deciding to outsource your dental billing services, you need to pick the one that is suitable for your practice. The choice of a billing company can significantly impact your practice’s financial health and operational efficiency. Go through these considerations to guide your decision regarding the best dental billing solution:
- Expertise in Dental Billing: While making a choice, pick the company that specializes in dental billing to handle the nuances of dental codes.
- Comprehensive Service Offerings: Look for an all-in-one dental billing company with services, including claim submissions, insurance verification, and denial management.
- Compliance and Security: Verify that the company adheres to HIPAA regulations and employs strict data security measures to protect patient information.
- Proven Track Record: Before picking any dental billing and coding company, assess its reputation through client testimonials and case studies.
With these factors in mind, let’s explore the top dental insurance billing companies that have earned acclaim for their exceptional services. Prior to getting their in-depth analysis, have a look at this table for a quick overview.
| Company Name | Experience | Pricing Plan | Major Services | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eAssist Dental Solutions | 14 Years (Founded in 2011) | Small: $1377 per month Medium: 3.50% per month of insurance collections Large: 3% per month of insurance collections Enterprise: 2.5% per month of insurance collections |
Dental Billing, AI Copilot, Credentialing, and Insurance Verification | American Fork, Utah |
| Dental Claim Support | 13 Years (Founded in 2012) | Base Rate: $1400 per month Tier 1: 3.50% per location per month Tier 2: 3% per location per month Tier 3: 2.5% per location per month |
Insurance Billing, Oral Surgery Billing, Verification, and Credentialing | Savannah, Georgia |
| Transcure | Over 23 Years (Established in 2002) | Talk to Experts | Dental Billing, RCM, Dental Coding, Scheduling, MIPS Reporting, Robotic Process Automation, and many more | Woodbridge, New Jersey |
| Dental Claims Cleanup | Around 17 Years (Founded in 2008) | Tier 1: $2,000 Tier 2: $3,900 Tier 3: $5,300 (Many customizable tier or project-based plans available) |
Dental Billing, Schedule Management, Benefit Verification, Electronic Claims, Phone Support | Syracuse, New York |
| MedsDental | 10 Years (Established in 2015) | Get a Customized Quote | Dental Coding, Dental Billing, Insurance Verification | New York, NY |
| Dental Support Specialties | 17 Years (Founded in 2008) | Contact Sales Team | AR Recovery, Insurance Verification, Scheduling, Special Projects | Canton, Ohio |
| Medusind | 23 Years (Established in 2002) | Talk to Experts | Fee Schedule Maintenance, Dental Billing, Medical Billing, Payment Posting | Miami, Florida |
| Zap Dental Billing | 10 Years | Small: $1199 per month Medium: 3% per month of insurance collections Large: 2.5% per month of insurance collections Enterprise: 2% per month of insurance collections |
Insurance Billing, Dental Virtual Assistant, Accounting and Bookkeeping | Austin, Texas |
| EZ Dental Billing | 15 Years (Established in 2010) | One-Provider Practice: $1350 per month Two-Provider Practice: 3.5% per month Group Practice: 3% per month Large Group: 2.5% per month Practice |
Payment Posting, Denied Claims Appeal, Insurance Verification | Naples, Florida |
| Dynamic Dental Solutions | 7 Years (Founded in 2018) | Schedule a Consultation | Dental Insurance Billing, Cross Coding, Credentialing | Wilmington, Delaware |
After exploring these top dental billing solutions briefly, let’s get into their details to make an informed choice. Benefiting from this detailed service breakdown, small dental practitioners will be able to choose the best company for better revenue cycle management.
1. eAssist Dental Solutions
Experts at eAssist Dental Solutions claim to collect almost every penny of insurance accounts receivable compared to the 92% industry standard. Within its comprehensive suite of services, practitioners get to enjoy dental billing, insurance verification, and credentialing.
With the power of eAssist Copilot AI, they make claim submissions much cleaner to ensure steady cash flow. So, after partnering with eAssist, you can experience financial peace of mind thanks to its accounting and bookkeeping services.
Why Pick eAssist Dental Solutions for Dental Billing?
You can enjoy the following features upon picking eAssist Dental Solutions as your partner.
- Insurance Verification: Dental clinics can reduce front desk workload and minimize claim denials with their fast insurance benefit verifications.
- Credentialing Services: Such services will handle all your documentation to ensure providers are properly credentialed, preventing costly payment delays.
- EFT Reconciliation: Their team accurately tracks every insurance and posts its payment with expert electronic fund transfer reconciliation services.
2. Dental Claim Support
Founded in 2012, DCS has found its way to the top by helping private practices maximize collections. Their end-to-end revenue cycle management solution covers every stage of the patient journey, from appointment scheduling to zero balance completion.
Apart from that, their performance-based pricing model means you only pay based on what’s successfully collected. In addition to dental billing, DCS helps practitioners collect oral surgery claims, including Medicare, with accurate submissions.
Why Pick Dental Claim Support for Dental Billing?
Upon choosing DCS, you can benefit from the following advanced dental billing services.
- A/R Special Projects: This company helps you recover lost revenue with customized projects targeting aged claims and insurance report backlogs.
- PMS Cleanup: Their team keeps your practice management software organized and efficient by correcting posting errors and cleaning up historical data.
- OMS Billing Services: With its specialized oral and maxillofacial surgery billing services, improve claims submission and ensure proper follow-up to maximize collections.
3. Transcure (With 98% First Pass Clean Claims Rate)
To help dental practices overcome the biggest hurdles in RCM, Transcure manages everything from coding and billing to claim submissions. Our team of 1100+ expert billers and coders specializes in dental CDT, ICD-10, and HCPCS coding to reduce denials.
Moreover, we have a deep understanding of dental procedures, including implants, crowns, and oral surgery, for compliant billing across multiple insurers. Plus, Transcure dental medical billing services include audits to identify and correct hidden revenue leaks.
With fast turnaround times of about 48 hours, we empower you to focus on excellent patient care while our billers handle your revenue. All in all, our all-in-one dental revenue cycle management services assist you in reducing over 25% of practice expenses.
Why Pick Transcure for Dental Billing?
Take advantage of the following dental billing solution after partnering with Transcure.
- Dental Credentialing Services: This medical billing company fast-tracks providers’ credentialing and maintains compliance to speed up revenue flow.
- Dental Pre-Authorization Management: Transcure helps you accelerate patient care and payment timelines by securing timely insurance approvals.
- Expertise in Dental Software: Experts at Transcure integrate billing with over 40 dental platforms like Dentrix, Open Dental, and more for optimized workflows.
- Accounts Receivable Recovery: You will be able to achieve A/R recovery in just 24 days to minimize bad debt.
- HIPAA-Compliant RCM: Our experts ensure full compliance with healthcare regulations to protect patient data and reduce liability risks.
- Patient Eligibility Verification: We verify insurance benefits three business days before patient visits to eliminate surprises and improve collections.
4. Dental Claims Cleanup
As a trusted national dental billing service, DCC has years of experience in delivering excellence to practices across the country. Their experts specialize in optimizing cash flow and minimizing unresolved claims for the betterment of overall financial health.
After you outsource this dental billing solution, your in-house team can focus more on patient care without worrying about accounts receivables. With their month-to-month flexible contracts, Dental Claims Cleanup ensures your practice scales sustainably.
Why Pick Dental Claims Cleanup for Dental Billing?
Outsourcing this dental billing company will provide you with the advantages listed below.
- Performance Analytics: They provide bi-weekly progress reports, live dashboard updates, and team performance analytics for operational transparency.
- Customizable Service Plans: DCC provides tiered service options to match different practice needs, from basic claims management to full insurance handling.
- Training and Phone Support: Their experts also deliver subscription-based support in dental billing processes, accounts receivable management, and insurance setup.
5. MedsDental
Being a trusted dental RCM billing service provider, MedsDental supports dentists with an all-in-one solution. No matter if you’re a general dentist or a multi-specialty group, it delivers end-to-end services from patient billing support to accurate claims that boost profitability.
Without any onboarding fees and hidden charges, this dental billing solution operates with transparency and efficiency. Their billing experts are committed to maximizing collections and resolving aged claims, saving up to 30% more compared to traditional billing methods.
Why Pick MedsDental for Dental Billing?
Take advantage of the following dental billing services after partnering with MedsDental.
- Dental Credentialing: Providing this service, their experts deliver fast in-network enrollment with PPO, DMO, and Medicaid plans.
- Payment Posting: MedsDental promises timely reimbursements with daily auto-posting of payments and aggressive follow-up on unpaid claims.
- Dental Coding: With their amazing coding accuracy, their team ensures regulatory compliance and adherence to insurance contract terms.
6. Dental Support Specialties
Acting as the behind-the-scenes partner for small dental practices, DSS adopts a customized approach for your financial health. For this, their team manages your insurance claims and reactivates dormant patients to boost profitability.
With their comprehensive dental billing support, they help dental practices receive maximum insurance reimbursements without delays. In addition, these professionals also take care of call handling and appointment booking to keep your schedule full.
Why Pick Dental Support Specialties for Dental Billing?
Opt for this dental billing and coding solution to benefit from the services given below.
- Patient Reactivation: They adopt proactive outreach to re-engage inactive patients to uncover hidden revenue opportunities and boost patient retention.
- Special Projects Support: You can acquire their one-time assistance for tasks like credentialing or AR cleanup to free up your in-house team’s time.
- Insurance Verification: With their pre-appointment verification of insurance benefits, practitioners can provide patient care without worrying about getting paid.
7. Medusind
With over 20 years of expertise, Medusind maximizes profitability through its advanced dental RCM billing services. Apart from that, small dental clinics can speed up insurance enrollment with their credentialing experts for faster payer network inclusion.
Moreover, this company keeps your practice management systems updated with accurate fee schedules to support correct billing. Most importantly, it delivers scalable services to suit organizations of all sizes and specialties to help you exceed revenue goals.
Why Pick Medusind for Dental Billing?
If you choose this medical billing service, you will be able to capitalize on these features.
- QuickVerify Eligibility Verification: Their team eliminates outbound calls for insurance verification with this technology to improve front-office efficiency.
- Denial and Payment Management: Experts at Medusind do their best to timely post payments and resolve denied claims with expert denial management services.
- Accounts Payable Outsourcing: Small dental practices can outsource A/P management to their experts to gain control over their payables and improve cash flow.
8. Zap Dental Billing
Zap Dental delivers comprehensive administrative support solutions specifically for dental practices. Their experts will manage your complete revenue cycle, from coding to collections, with over a decade of industry experience to maximize revenue.
Furthermore, dental clinics can reduce last-minute cancellations with proactive confirmation reminders via text and phone calls. In addition, they deliver real-time verification services compared to outdated in-house approaches to reduce claim denials.
Why Pick Zap Dental Billing for Your Small Practice?
Explore these services you can acquire after opting for this efficient dental billing solution.
- Patient Chair Management: Their experts reactivate inactive patients and follow up on them to keep your chairs full and schedule consistently optimized.
- Inbound and Outbound Call Management: With this dental billing company, you will get a customized call handling solution to ensure every patient inquiry is answered.
- Virtual Dental Assistant Services: Zap Dental has trained remote professionals to manage scheduling and administrative tasks to reduce front desk workload.
9. EZ Dental Billing
Recently featured in Inc. 5000 companies, this dental billing solution offers customized billing, claims, and verification services that improve financial performance. Plus, it is HIPAA-compliant and 256-bit AES encrypted to keep sensitive information protected at all times.
Importantly, EZ Dental Billing’s team submits error-checked claims daily to minimize denials and speed up reimbursement. Moreover, their team verifies insurance before appointments to avoid last-minute surprises on the checkup day.
Why Pick EZ Dental Billing for Your Small Practice?
Through the services mentioned below, dental clinics get to improve their financial well-being.
- Payments Posting: Their professionals post insurance payments daily and within 24 hours of EOB receipt for accurate closing.
- Medical Billing Opportunities: EZ Dental Billing identifies dental procedures eligible for medical billing and expands reimbursable services.
- In-House Staff Training: This dental billing company provides expert training to its billers to help them handle dental coding for higher reimbursements.
10. Dynamic Dental Solutions
While looking for the best dental billing services for small practices, DDS is an option worth considering due to its expert team. Professionals working here can manage the full spectrum of dental insurance billing, including daily claims processing and payment postings.
Moreover, its team tracks and collects outstanding claims efficiently to make sure your practice receives every dollar it’s owed. So, with their streamlined processes and billing accuracy, dental practitioners can experience an over 20% increase in revenue.
Why Pick Dynamic Dental Solutions for Dental Billing?
After choosing DDS for handling dental billing, you will benefit from the following perks.
- Medical and Dental Cross-Coding: This company supports practices with accurate coding to bill medically necessary dental treatments under medical insurance plans.
- HIPAA Compliance: Their secure systems and protocols keep all patient and dental practice records protected for trust building.
- Credentialing Assistance: From initial credentialing to adding new providers, DDS helps small dental practices navigate payer enrollment smoothly.
Final Thoughts on Outsourcing Dental Billing Services
As discussed, managing the financial aspects of the dental practice becomes nearly impossible for practitioners while providing patient care. Although hiring an in-house team looks like a good choice for dental clinics, this comes with high cost and operational hurdles.
That’s where outsourcing dental billing services becomes their secret weapon. With these services, dental care providers can gain a financial partner to help their practice thrive.While all the companies we’ve explored offer strong value, Transcure stands out for small practices looking for end-to-end revenue cycle optimization. So, without wasting any time, come into contact with our experts to reach new financial milestones.
