Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) play a critical role in today’s healthcare ecosystem by delivering high-quality, cost-effective surgical care. However, their success depends heavily on the strength of their Revenue Cycle Management (RCM). From scheduling and pre-authorization to accurate coding, timely claim submission, and persistent AR follow-up, every step impacts an ASC’s financial health.

At Finnastra, we understand that managing an ASC’s revenue cycle is complex and resource-intensive. Our Ambulatory Billing Services are designed to simplify operations, accelerate reimbursements, and reduce compliance risks, allowing your team to focus on patient care rather than administrative burdens.

In this article, we’ll explore the key components of RCM for ASCs and why partnering with a dedicated Ambulatory Billing Company like Finnastra can transform your surgery center’s cash flow and long-term stability.

Why RCM Is Crucial for Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Efficient RCM is not just about billing; it’s about creating a streamlined, transparent process that ensures every dollar is captured, accounted for, and collected.

Consider these statistics:

  • According to the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), 15–25% of medical practice revenue is lost due to inefficient billing processes and claim denials.
  • The average claim denial rate for ASCs is 10–15%, with 60% of denials never being reworked due to lack of staff and time.
  • Practices that implement proactive pre-authorization and coding strategies reduce denials by up to 35%.

Without a strong RCM strategy, ASCs face issues like delayed payments, underpayments, compliance risks, and reduced profit margins, making it difficult to scale operations or invest in advanced surgical equipment.

The Four Pillars of ASC Revenue Cycle Management

  1. Pre-Authorization & Insurance Verification

One of the most common causes of claim denials is improper or incomplete pre-authorization.

  • At Finnastra, we verify patient eligibility, secure pre-authorizations, and communicate payer requirements upfront.
  • Our team tracks payer policy changes and ensures all documentation meets insurance standards, preventing claim rejections before they happen.

Real-World Example: A mid-sized ASC in Florida saw its pre-authorization errors reduced by 40% within 60 days after partnering with Finnastra, resulting in faster scheduling and a 25% improvement in upfront collections.

  1. Accurate Coding & Documentation

ASCs require precise, specialty-specific coding to maximize reimbursement.

  • Our certified coders stay current with CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS updates.
  • We implement rigorous internal audits to ensure compliance with Medicare and commercial payer guidelines.
  • Transparent reporting helps you understand coding patterns and spot missed revenue opportunities.

Industry Insight: Inaccurate coding can lead to underpayments of up to 15% per procedure — a significant loss when multiplied across hundreds of surgeries monthly.

  1. Clean Claim Submission

Even a small error in claim submission can trigger denials or delays.

  • Finnastra uses advanced claim scrubbing technology combined with manual reviews to ensure every claim is clean before submission.
  • Our team tracks payer-specific rules and edits to minimize errors and reduce the likelihood of rejected claims.

Result: Our ASC clients maintain a first-pass acceptance rate of over 97%, well above the industry average of 85–90%.

  1. AR Follow-Up & Denial Management

Uncollected accounts receivable (AR) are a silent killer for ASCs.

  • We provide aggressive yet professional AR follow-up, focusing on aged claims before they become uncollectible.
  • Our dedicated denial management team identifies root causes, appeals rejected claims, and implements long-term fixes to prevent recurring issues.

Case Study: A California-based ASC reduced its average AR days from 58 to 32 within three months of working with Finnastra, freeing up cash flow for facility expansion.

Why Choose Finnastra as Your ASC RCM Partner

When you work with a dedicated Ambulatory Billing Company like Finnastra, you gain access to:

  • Full-Cycle RCM Expertise: From scheduling to collections, we manage every touchpoint in your revenue cycle.
  • Data-Driven Insights: Monthly reporting that highlights trends, missed opportunities, and actionable improvements.
  • Free PM/EHR Software: We equip our clients with top-tier practice management tools at no additional cost.
  • Compliance-First Approach: Strict adherence to HIPAA and payer regulations to safeguard your ASC against audits and penalties.
  • Credentialing Support: We absorb credentialing costs and handle the entire provider enrollment process.

Our approach is not just about billing—it’s about building a sustainable financial foundation for your ASC.

Questions ASC Leaders Should Be Asking

  • Are our denial rates higher than the ASC industry average of 10–15%?
  • How much revenue are we losing due to inaccurate coding or underpayments?
  • Do we have the internal resources to stay compliant with ever-changing payer rules?
  • Are our AR days trending above 40, indicating a cash flow bottleneck?

If you don’t have clear answers to these questions, it may be time to evaluate your RCM strategy.

Partner With Finnastra to Transform Your ASC Revenue Cycle

Your ASC’s financial success depends on more than just performing excellent surgeries—it requires a partner who understands the complexities of ASC billing and compliance.

As a leading Ambulatory Billing Company, Finnastra ensures your center’s revenue cycle is optimized, compliant, and scalable.
We take a proactive, hands-on approach to every aspect of billing, giving you the confidence to focus on what you do best: delivering exceptional patient care.

Let’s Elevate Your ASC’s Financial Performance

Schedule a consultation with Finnastra today to see how our Ambulatory Billing Services can increase collections, reduce denials, and stabilize your cash flow.

Visit our Ambulatory Surgery Center Billing Services page to learn more and take the first step toward transforming your ASC’s financial future.

 

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