Shows
The Claim GameThe Secret to Faster Payments and Happier Patients: Nail Your Checkout ProcessEPISODE SUMMARYThis week on The Claim Game, Jeremy and Kathryn Zug make the final move in the Patient Registration territory of the RCM Game Board: Checkout. It’s easy to think the work is done when a session is over, but this final step is absolutely critical for a practice’s revenue cycle and reputation.We break down the key elements of a solid checkout process—from physically guiding the patient to the checkout person and ensuring payment authorization works, to the essential practice of scheduling the next appointment on the spot. We disc...
2025-11-1426 min
The Claim GameHIPAA Compliance Explained: Privacy, Security, and Breach Rules to Win Patient RegistrationEPISODE SUMMARYWelcome back to The Claim Game! In this round of mastering Revenue Cycle Management, we're taking a magnifying glass to the crucial territory of Patient Registration and zooming in on the seemingly "riveting" world of HIPAA Compliance. We know that when practice owners hear "HIPAA," their first instinct might be to "run for the hills", but understanding this federal law is absolutely vital for your practice's bottom line and your peace of mind.Kathryn and Jeremy break down the three core rules—Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification —and why patient registration is ground zero...
2025-11-0734 min
The Claim GameProvider Assignment & Scheduling Best Practices: How to Improve Patient Registration and RevenueEPISODE SUMMARYAre you tired of grappling with insurance denials due to a simple mismatch in credentialing? Patient registration is more than just a clerical task—it's a key part of your RCM strategy, and this episode zooms in on the next critical step: Provider Assignment and Scheduling. Matching the patient to a provider with the right credentials and specialty is crucial for ensuring a smooth eligibility match, preventing costly blunders, and guaranteeing you get paid. This process, which ideally begins on the intake call, requires collecting both patient information (insurance, presenting problem, preferences like lan...
2025-10-3126 min
The Claim GameJoe Murphy Reveals How Checkpoint EHR Keeps Practices Profitable and Patient-FocusedEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of The Claim Game, Jeremy sits down with Joe Murphy, the CEO and Co-founder of Checkpoint EHR. Joe shares his unique journey from the high-paced world of telecommunications to the mission-driven sphere of behavioral health technology, focusing on Checkpoint's core value: "Simply, period".Joe discusses how Checkpoint is working to move EHR systems into the background by eliminating "the tool that everybody hates" and making the process so subtle and simple that providers don't have to think about it. The conversation dives deep into the strategic use of technology to...
2025-10-2448 min
The Claim GameIntake: The First Impression That Defines Your PracticeEPISODE SUMMARYWelcome back to The Claim Game, the podcast that helps you turn claim denials into deposits! In this episode, we're diving into the second territory on our RCM board: patient registration. Jeremy and Kathryn Zug zoom in on the very first stage of this process—intake—and explain why perfecting it is so critical for both your practice's reputation and bottom line.Kathryn explains that intake is about more than just paperwork; it’s about collecting accurate data to prevent future rejections. A poor process can cause a patient to abandon care before it eve...
2025-10-1734 min
The Claim GameMaya Topitzer on the Future of Patient Registration AI for Private PracticeEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of The Claim Game, Jeremy Zug interviews Maya Topitzer, the founder of Breksey, an AI-powered client relationship management (CRM) tool built to help clinicians run their private practices like thriving businesses. The discussion dives into a critical, often-overlooked pain point for practice owners: patient registration.Maya explains that patient registration is more than just booking an appointment; it's a broad process that starts with a potential client's first inquiry and ends with their initial visit. The biggest pain points she sees are the endless back-and-forth communication, which can lead to...
2025-10-1040 min
The Claim GameUriah Guilford on Patient Intake: The Game-Changing Power of AI and Virtual AssistantsEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode, we're taking a strategic pause to get a behind-the-scenes look at the very game we’re playing by talking to a game changer himself, Uriah Guilford. He's a licensed therapist, group practice owner, and the head nerd at Productive Therapist, a virtual assistant company that serves providers in private practice.We're diving into the complexities of the patient registration process and uncovering the real costs of inefficiency, including lost revenue, patient dissatisfaction, and staff burnout. Uriah shares a powerful story from his early days that underscores why patient registration and ti...
2025-10-0341 min
Ideal PracticeJeremy Zug | What If Insurance Billing Wasn’t So Hard? A Helpful Conversation... | IP 165I’m so excited about today’s conversation, guys, which is a weird thing to say about … insurance. 😵💫Today’s guest, Jeremy Zug from Practice Solutions, lives and breathes mental health billing (yes, that's a thing!). And he doesn't sugarcoat it. Mental health billing IS harder than medical billing. Insurance companies DO play games with us. That little voice in your head telling you this stuff is complicated and frustrating? You're absolutely right. But here's what Jeremy knows that most of us don't - there's a better way to play this game.In this...
2025-09-301h 22
The Claim GamePatient Registration 101: Turning First Impressions into Long-Term SuccessEPISODE SUMMARYWelcome back to The Claim Game! In this episode, Jeremy and Kathryn Zug shift from the "Credentialing" territory of the RCM game board to a new, crucial area: Patient Registration. They explain that while credentialing is about getting your player piece on the board, patient registration is about getting other players—your patients—onto the board so you can actually start playing.This episode offers a comprehensive overview of the patient registration territory, breaking it down into five key subcategories:Intake: The process of collecting information. The hosts emphasize that this isn...
2025-09-2647 min
The Claim GameMastering Credentialing KPIs: How to Track, Measure & Improve Your RevenueEPISODE SUMMARYIn this final installment of the credentialing series, Jeremy and Kathryn Zug break down how practice owners can track and measure the success of their credentialing efforts using a KPI dashboard. They explore five essential KPIs—insurance revenue target analysis, time to contract, application completion accuracy, credentialing efficacy, and application denial reasons—and explain how each metric empowers you to make smarter business decisions. From identifying underperforming payers to training (not firing) staff, this episode shows how turning subjective frustration into objective data can transform your practice’s revenue cycle.KEYWORDSCreden...
2025-09-1940 min
Brave and Well: Conversations helping mental health professionals build a sustainable, profitable & values-aligned businessDemystifying Insurance: Answering Your Billing Questions with Jeremy Zug of Practice SolutionsDealing with insurance can be one of the most confusing—and costly—parts of running a mental health practice. From clawbacks and claim denials to underpayments and long look-back periods, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.That’s why we invited Jeremy Zug on the podcast this week.Jeremy Zug is a nationally-recognized expert in insurance billing and revenue cycle management, with a distinguished career driving financial health and operational excellence for mental health professionals. He also co-founded Practice Solutions with his wife Kathryn in 2017.Tune in to learn about:Why clawbacks happen...
2025-09-1651 min
The Claim GameThe Final Stage of Credentialing: Manage & Review to Protect Your Practice from DenialsEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of The Claim Game, Jeremy and Kathryn Zug dive into the final stage of credentialing: Stage Six, "Manage and Review". While many providers believe that credentialing is a one-time process, this stage is crucial for avoiding unexpected denials and even ejection from payer networks. The hosts compare ongoing credentialing management to maintaining a car after you've bought it, emphasizing that you can't just drive it off the lot and never look under the hood again. They discuss the importance of recredentialing or reattestation, which payers often require every two to three years...
2025-09-1224 min
The Claim GameWinning the Credentialing Game: A Conversation with Lanyard Health Founder Kay WardEPISODE SUMMARYThis week on The Claim Game, we’re taking a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of one of the most stressful parts of private practice: credentialing. Jeremy sits down with Kay Ward, the founder and CEO of Lanyard Health, a health tech platform that's reshaping how providers get credentialed and stay on top of their status with payers.Kay, who’s been in the credentialing game for 15 years, shares her journey from a typist to a startup founder, all because she saw an opportunity to solve a massive problem for providers. She...
2025-09-0555 min
The Mental Health EvolutionEp 3: Strategy, Not Panic with Jeremy ZugIn this episode, we explore the changing landscape of mental health, focusing on insurance trends, private practice growth, and the impact of tech and venture capital. Jeremy Zug shares his insights from over a decade in healthcare, helping mental health professionals optimize revenue and operational efficiency. Whether you’re a clinician, practice owner, or industry observer, this conversation provides actionable strategies and a big-picture view of the market. Key Topics Covered: Insurance trends and payer changes affecting private practices The rise of independent providers and network expansion Value-based care, tech companies, an...
2025-09-0326 min
The Claim GameCredentialing & Contracting Demystified: Insider Guidance for ProvidersEPISODE SUMMARYThis episode of The Claim Game, "Accessing the Board," features an insightful interview with Cathy Gilbert, an expert with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry, including leadership roles at major national payers like Magellan and Beacon Health Options. Cathy shares her unique perspective from the payer's side of the table, demystifying the complex and often frustrating world of credentialing, contracting, and fee negotiations for private practice owners. She explains that while the process can seem like a "black hole," there are rules, and understanding them is key.KEYWORDS
2025-08-291h 07
The Claim GameThe Credentialing Game: Winning with Contract Clauses, Negotiations & Start DatesEPISODE SUMMARYThis episode of The Claim Game marks a pivotal moment in the credentialing journey: the final initiation where you truly claim your network territory. Jeremy and Kathryn Zug guide you through the crucial stages of reviewing and finalizing a payer contract, helping you navigate the fine print that can make or break your practice's financial health. This is the stage where you transform a pending application into a legitimate partnership and confidently secure your "game piece" on the RCM board.KEYWORDSCredentialing, In-Network, Payer Contracts, Fee Schedule, Timely Filing...
2025-08-2239 min
The Claim GameRolling the "Follow-up" DiceEPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode of The Claim Game, Jeremy and Kathryn Zug tackle the often-dreaded "credentialing black hole" – that period of frustrating silence after submitting your insurance applications. They equip you with a game-changing strategy to transform passive waiting into an active, strategic process. This episode zooms in on Stage 3 of the credentialing process: application follow-up. Learn how to set up a "mission log" to track every application, key information to record, and the optimal timing and essential questions for follow-ups to conquer uncertainty and prevent revenue-killing delays. Jeremy and Kathryn pull back the curtain on co...
2025-08-1526 min
The Claim GameEstablishing the Optimal FormationEPISODE SUMMARYJoin Jeremy and Kathryn Zug in this tactical episode of The Claim Game as they dive deep into the initial stages of the credentialing process: information gathering and application completion. This episode is packed with essential tools and strategies, moving beyond a general overview to provide clear, actionable steps for practice owners and administrators. Kathryn outlines precisely what practice and provider information to collect, how to organize it, and when to consolidate these crucial documents. You'll learn the importance of having supporting documentation, understanding CAQH, and meticulously tracking application statuses to avoid costly denials. Jeremy...
2025-08-0835 min
The Claim GameIntroducing the Board LandscapeEPISODE SUMMARYIs your practice tired of wrestling with insurance denials, deciphering EOBs, and watching your revenue slip through the cracks? You are not alone! Welcome to The Claim Game, the podcast designed to cut through the confusion and provide you with the best practices for revenue cycle management (RCM) success. Join Jeremy and Kathryn Zug as they simplify the complex landscape of RCM, explaining it as a game with rules that can be played well or poorly. They introduce the six key "territories" on the RCM game board: Credentialing, Patient Registration, Eligibility and Benefits, Payment Posting...
2025-08-011h 00
The Claim GameInitiating the GameEPISODE SUMMARYWelcome back to The Claim Game! In this episode, Jeremy and Kathryn Zug zoom into the first critical "territory" on your Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) game board: Credentialing. This process is your entry point to accepting insurance, and understanding its nuances is key to your practice's success. The Zugs break down the decision between handling credentialing yourself (DIY) or outsourcing to a specialized service, exploring the pros and cons of each approach to help you choose the best path for your practice.They then guide you through the six stages of the credentialing...
2025-08-0135 min
The Claim GameSelecting Your Game PartnersEPISODE SUMMARYAre you selecting insurance payers based on hearsay, hoping that more volume automatically means more revenue? You're not alone! In this episode of The Claim Game, Jeremy and Kathryn Zug dive deep into the strategic art of payer selection, dispelling the myth that simply paneling with everyone will lead to a thriving practice. They break down how to align your insurance choices with your long-term practice vision, starting with defining your unique "insurance mix" and clarifying your practice goals.Discover three common and profitable approaches to insurance mix:* The Lean Plan...
2025-08-0153 min
The Claim GameHow Your Game Partners Can Elevate Your GameEPISODE SUMMARYIn this special "Game Changers" episode of The Claim Game, Jeremy Zug sits down with Dan King, co-founder and in-house counsel at Fireside Strategic, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the evolving landscape of healthcare. Dan, a former M&A lawyer and executive coach, shares his unique journey and reveals how his "aha moment" led him to prioritize the human side of business in rapid growth.Discover Fireside Strategics' mission to acquire and grow outpatient private practices while treating providers "like gold," creating a virtuous circle of people and profit. Dan makes a...
2025-08-0146 min
The Claim GameThe Claim Game IntroductionIs your practice wrestling with insurance headaches? Welcome to The Claim Game, the podcast designed to cut through the confusion and provide best practices for revenue cycle management success. Join Jeremy and Kathryn Zug each week as they break down complex billing processes, share real-world solutions, and help you turn claim denials into deposits. It's time to win The Claim Game! Get full access to The Claim Game at jeremyzug.substack.com/subscribe
2025-07-1800 min
The Practice of Therapy PodcastJeremy Zug | Private Pay, Insurance, or Hybrid? Decide For Your Private Practice | TPOT 381What if the two most important questions in your practice— 'Is this financially viable?' and 'Am I doing the work I love?' — didn't have to compete? In this eye-opening episode, Jeremy dives deep into the strategic crossroads every private practice owner faces, especially when considering whether to take insurance, stay private pay, or explore a hybrid model. He breaks down the real numbers, state-by-state reimbursement differences, and the often-overlooked red flags in insurance relationships—like sneaky non-quantitative treatment limitations and the true cost of claim denials. You'll learn why Medicare Advantage's recent rate hike is...
2025-05-1242 min
The Testing Psychologist PodcastTTP #48: Jeremy Zug – How to Bill Insurance for Testing ServicesWould you rather read the transcript? Click here. Jeremy Zug knows insurance billing. In my search for a biller who really understand psych testing, he and his wife Kathryn really stood out above all the others. Today he talks with us about the nuances of insurance billing for psych/neuropsych testing. Here are just a few things we discuss: Can you ... Read More
2018-03-1953 min