The Claim Game

EPISODE SUMMARYIs your practice a "Jamey Show" or a sustainable business? In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Jamey Schrier, PT, and founder of Practice Freedom U, to discuss the messy, often painful transition from "solopreneur" to professional business owner.Jamey shares the raw story of his practice burning to the ground—literally—and why that disaster was actually the "snow day" he needed to realize he was building a prison, not a business. We dive deep into the "Mindset Upgrade" required to stop solving the same billing and hiring problems over and over again. If you’ve ever felt like an expert clinician but a struggling amateur in business, this episode is your roadmap to turning "always effing something" into an unfair advantage.KEYWORDSPractice Management, Physical Therapy, Revenue Cycle Management, Entrepreneurship, Practice Owner, Mindset Shift, Business Scaling, Hiring Best Practices, Credentialing, Healthcare LeadershipTAKEAWAYSThe "Pulse Optional" Hiring Trap: Most practice owners hire out of desperation (the "warm body with a pulse" method). Success requires slowing down the process and hiring based on values and clear systems rather than gut instinct.The Three Pillars of Practice: A healthy business needs Structure (the nails and roof), a Financial Model (the KPIs), and Mindset (the leader’s internal operating system). If your mindset is stuck in "Control" or "Limited Beliefs," the other two pillars will eventually crumble.Hire Slow, Fire Fast: We often do the opposite—hiring fast in a panic and taking forever to let go of a bad fit. If you can tell on day one that someone isn't the right fit, your ego shouldn't stop you from making the tough call.The 80/20 Energy Audit: Identify the 20% of tasks that drain your energy and produce the least revenue. Delegate those to someone who loves doing what you hate (like billing!) so you can stay in your "sweet spot."The Professional vs. The Amateur: Being a "pro" means stepping out of the day-to-day "clinician" role once your revenue hits a certain threshold (typically $800k+) to protect the bigger picture and implement safety systems.CHAPTERS00:00 Building a Coaching Team00:59 Introduction: From Burnout to Breakthrough11:15 The Journey of Coaching and Business Growth13:20 When Mistakes Become Your Best Teacher17:39 Learning Payroll, HR, and Leadership the Hard Way22:52 Choosing Growth Over Victimhood26:29 The 80/20 Rule and Business Efficiency31:46 Structure, Model, Mindset: The Missing Piece39:24 Conclusion: The ROI of Doing the WorkRESOURCESToday Sponsors: Jane | One Month Grace Period Promo Code: PRACTICESOLUTIONS1MOPractice Freedom U: Jamey Schrier’s Coaching & Training Connect with Jamey on LinkedInLearn More About The Claim Game: Visit practicesol.com/podcastThe Hourglass Learning Hub: Dive deeper into RCM best practices and downloadable tools mentioned in this episode, like the various checklists and templates, by visiting The Hourglass Learning Hub.Our Blog: Explore years of educational articles on billing and practice management at Practice Solutions Blog.Book: For a comprehensive guide on navigating insurance, grab your copy of Insurance Billing Basics: Steps for Therapists to Successfully Take Insurance. Get full access to The Claim Game at jeremyzug.substack.com/subscribe

EPISODE SUMMARYAre you running a practice, or are you just moving pieces around a board while your bank account stays empty? In this episode, Jeremy Zug dives into the high-tangible world of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) to discuss the vital signs of your practice’s financial health.As a clinician, you might be used to the "wait and see" approach in a therapy session, but in the billing world, "wait and see" is a slow-motion train wreck. Jeremy breaks down the four essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that act as diagnostic tools for your business. From the "perishable good" that is your insurance aging report to the uncomfortable but necessary conversations around patient balances, this episode is a masterclass in shifting from a "starving artist" trope to a "money mind" that wins.KEYWORDSPrivate Practice, Revenue Cycle Management, Insurance Billing, KPIs, Mental Health Billing, Cash Flow, Practice GrowthTAKEAWAYSThe 90-Day Rule: Money is a perishable good. In 2026, a healthy practice should have less than 15% of its total accounts receivable in the 90+ day bucket. After 90 days, the probability of collection doesn't just dip—it collapses.Process vs. Billing Problems: If your patient aging is spiking, it’s usually a front-end process issue. Are you verifying eligibility before the first session? Waiting 90 days to tell a client they owe $500 is unprofessional and erodes the clinical trust you've built.The 5% Denial Benchmark: While the industry average for mental health is near 15%, you should aim for a denial rate at or under 5%. If you’re at 20%, you aren’t billing insurance—you’re a pen pal with a computer programmed to ignore you.Speed is Leverage: Resolution on denials (appealed, resolved, or closed) should happen within 72 hours. Insurance bureaucracy is built on the hope that you’ll get tired and go away; speed is your only real leverage.The Clean Report Mirage: Don't let a "perfect" aging report fool you. Verify your net collection rate against what is actually arriving in your bank account to ensure the data isn't being manufactured to look clean.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Tension Between Care and Cash Flow03:11 KPI #1: Measuring What You’re Owed (Before It Disappears)05:39 KPI #2: Managing Patient Receivables Effectively06:57 KPI #3: Denial Rate and Claim Performance09:10 KPI #4: How Fast You Resolve Denials10:15 Case Studies: Two Practices, One Hidden Problem12:59 Practice Owners: Focus on Care, Not Claims14:18 Conclusion: Building a Measurable, Sustainable PracticeRESOURCESToday Sponsors: Jane | One Month Grace Period Promo Code: PRACTICESOLUTIONS1MOLearn More About The Claim Game: Visit practicesol.com/podcastThe Hourglass Learning Hub: Dive deeper into RCM best practices and downloadable tools mentioned in this episode, like the various checklists and templates, by visiting The Hourglass Learning Hub.Our Blog: Explore years of educational articles on billing and practice management at Practice Solutions Blog.Book: For a comprehensive guide on navigating insurance, grab your copy of Insurance Billing Basics: Steps for Therapists to Successfully Take Insurance.Images: Aging Follow-up KPI Dashboard Get full access to The Claim Game at jeremyzug.substack.com/subscribe