Ask most REIs about billing and you’ll get more than a polite nod, in the US, it’s an unavoidable part of the job. They know how much it drives patient access, cycle timing, and clinic revenue. But few enjoy it. For most, it’s a necessary distraction from what they trained for: delivering care. Here’s the reality: the quality and timing of your billing data directly affect how many fertility patients you can see, how quickly they can start treatment, and how smoothly your schedule runs.
The hidden link between billing and clinical time
Every REI has experienced it:
A consult blocked because insurance verification hasn’t come back
A cycle delayed because prior authorisation is stuck in limbo
Time in clinic spent explaining costs because the patient didn’t have a clear estimate
A treatment plan changed last minute when coverage turned out different than expected
These aren’t just financial hiccups. They’re schedule disruptions, emotional stress for patients, and lost opportunities for care.
The downstream impact of messy billing workflows
When billing data is scattered across systems or handled late in the process, it creates a ripple effect:
Delays in cycle starts: patients can’t begin until coverage and costs are clear
Last-minute rescheduling: REI slots get wasted or overbooked
Longer consults: clinical time gets eaten up by cost conversations
More follow-ups: patients leave without clarity, generating extra calls and visits
In short, billing inefficiency turns into clinical inefficiency.
What better billing data looks like
Imagine a clinic where:
Coverage verification and prior authorisations are initiated automatically when a patient is created and a treatment plan is drafted
Patients walk into the consult already knowing their financial responsibility
The REI sees only approved, ready-to-go cycles on their schedule
Billing, scheduling, and clinical systems share the same patient record in real time
With the right setup, financial clearance is not a bottleneck, it’s built into the workflow.
How this extends REI capacity
Better billing workflows don’t just improve cash flow. They free up the REI’s most valuable asset: time.
Fewer delays mean more predictable schedules and fewer gaps
Prepared patients mean shorter, more focused consults
Real-time status updates mean the REI can prioritise patients ready to move forward
Integrated systems mean no chasing for missing approvals or coverage details
Over the course of a week, this can translate into several additional consults, without increasing clinic hours.
REIs are here to make treatment decisions, not track down billing codes. By integrating RCM into the clinical workflow, you protect physician time, improve patient experience, and reduce the frustration that comes from administrative bottlenecks. Because when your billing data is clean, accurate, and timely, your schedule runs smoother, and more patients get the care they need, faster.
