Keeping on top of accounts receivable (AR) is absolutely essential for your medical practice’s financial health, but when those AR cycles drag on, they can seriously choke your cash flow and stall progress. The longer it takes to get paid, the harder it is to cover expenses, invest in growth, or even keep things running day to day. That’s why more practice administrators in 2025 are turning to automation to tighten up billing and speed up payments. With the right tools, you can cut down on costly errors, save time, and make your entire revenue cycle flow more effortlessly—without piling extra work on your already busy team.

Automation doesn’t just save time, it makes your billing process smarter and more reliable. From automatic claim submissions to real-time payment tracking and follow-up reminders, these tools help you stay ahead of outstanding payments and get money in the door faster. When used the right way, automation frees up your staff to focus on what really matters: patients. Below, you’ll find a simple breakdown of the best automation solutions out there and practical tips for putting them to work.

Why Days in AR Matter

Days in AR measures how long it takes to collect payments after services are rendered. A high AR can be a sign of inefficiencies in billing or claim denials, tying up revenue your practice needs to thrive. Automation tools help practices tackle these challenges head-on, ensuring faster payments and healthier finances.

1. Automated Claims Scrubbing

Manual claims reviews are time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to denials that extend AR timelines. Automated claims scrubbing tools catch coding errors, missing information, or payer-specific issues before submission, improving first-pass claim acceptance rates. Practices using automated scrubbing often see fewer denials and faster reimbursements. 

2. Real-Time Eligibility Verification

Billing errors often stem from outdated or incorrect patient insurance information, delaying payments. Real-time eligibility verification tools confirm coverage instantly, reducing the risk of rejected claims and speeding up the AR cycle. By verifying insurance upfront, practices avoid rework. Athelas integrates eligibility checks into its workflows, saving admins time and reducing AR days.

3. AI-Powered Coding Assistance

Incorrect coding can mean claim rejections or underpayments, dragging out AR. AI-powered coding tools analyze clinical documentation and suggest accurate codes, ensuring claims align with payer requirements. AI coding support minimizes errors and speeds up claim processing. 

4. Automated Payment Posting

Manually posting payments from payers and patients is a slow process that can delay AR reconciliation. Automated payment posting tools match payments to claims quickly, reducing manual work and keeping AR current. Faster payment posting equals less time chasing discrepancies. This process should be automated and integrate with EHRs for seamless updates.

5. Denial Management Automation

Denied claims are a major culprit behind high AR days. Automated denial management tools categorize denials, identify patterns, and suggest corrective actions, making it easier to resubmit claims quickly. By addressing denials proactively, practices recover revenue faster. 

Why Athelas?

Athelas’ suite of automation tools—from claims scrubbing to denial management—helps practices cut days in AR while simplifying workflows. Designed for ease of use, these solutions sync with existing systems, empowering admins to focus on strategy, not paperwork. 

Ready to take control of your AR? Book a demo and start optimizing your cash flow today.