As summer winds down and the busy fall season approaches, August presents a strategic opportunity for medical practices to take stock, recalibrate, and proactively prepare for what’s ahead. Whether you’re managing credentialing, fine-tuning billing workflows, or implementing new technology, now is the time to plan.
At Orchard Medical Management, we support private practices, FQHCs, and specialty clinics throughout New England with the critical operations that keep practices running smoothly. Here’s why August 2025 is the ideal time to get ahead and how we can help you do just that.
Mid-Year Tune-Up Before the Year-End Rush
The final months of the year bring open enrollment, updated payer policies, and tighter deadlines for credentialing and reimbursements. By taking action in August, you can prevent those last-minute scrambles and maintain steady cash flow.
Key areas to review now:
- Eligibility Verification Workflows: Ensure systems are flagging coverage changes and capturing updated patient information efficiently. Delays in eligibility checks can lead to denied claims and lost revenue.
- Credentialing & Re-Credentialing: August is the right time to renew expiring credentials, add new providers, and update CAQH profiles. Avoid bottlenecks in the fall when payer processing times increase.
- Staff Training: New Medicare policies for 2026 are just around the corner. Begin educating your team now to avoid compliance issues and documentation delays later.
Integration Planning Time: Get Tech-Ready for Open Enrollment
If your practice is considering new tools like automated prior authorizations, claims scrubbing enhancements, or AI-driven billing support, August is the sweet spot to plan and implement. These systems take time to configure and test—doing it now means you’ll be fully operational before open enrollment and year-end compliance checks.
Consider implementing:
- AI Tools for Billing and Patient Support: Our partners are already using smart chat tools to reduce call volume and increase patient satisfaction.
- Automated Check Systems: Improve speed and accuracy in eligibility, benefits verification, and prior authorizations.
- Reporting Dashboards: Set up custom reporting to track KPIs and year-end performance before Q4 hits.
Why This Matters
Planning ahead is more than just smart, it’s essential in a healthcare environment where reimbursement, staffing, and compliance are increasingly complex. Orchard Medical Management gives practices the operational support and guidance needed to move from reactive to proactive.
Ready to Prepare?
Whether you need a credentialing audit, revenue cycle review, or help implementing the right tools, our team is here to help you make the most of this critical planning window.
Let’s get your practice prepared and ahead of the curve before the fall rush begins.