How Much Do Medical Billing Companies Charge? Pricing Models, Hidden Fees and Real Monthly Costs
Most medical billing companies charge a percentage of the money they collect for you, often somewhere between about 4% and 10%, depending on specialty, claim volume and what is included. Some charge per claim or a flat monthly fee instead. The headline rate is only part of the cost: monthly minimums, setup fees, credentialing charges and contract terms can change the total a lot, especially for a new or small practice. RevenueCTRL charges from 2.5% of collections for every specialty we serve, with no setup fee, no monthly minimum and no long-term contract.
Comparing billing companies by percentage alone is the most common pricing mistake. The right question is: what will I actually pay each month at my expected collections, and what do I get for it? The answer works the same way whether you run a psychiatry practice, a family medicine clinic or a cardiology group.
The three common pricing models
| Model | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of collections | You pay a share of what the company collects for you | Solo providers, new practices, changing volume | Monthly minimums; higher rates for some specialties |
| Per claim | A fixed fee for each claim submitted | Practices with low-cost, high-volume visits | You pay even when a claim is denied or never paid |
| Flat monthly fee | One fixed price each month | Practices with steady, predictable volume | Paying the same in slow months |
Percentage pricing lines up the billing company’s incentive with yours: it only earns when you get paid.
Does pricing change by specialty?
At many billing companies, yes. Specialties with more procedures, modifiers and prior authorizations, such as cardiology, orthopedics, pain management or gastroenterology, are often quoted higher percentages than primary care or therapy. Ask every company whether its rate depends on your specialty.
At RevenueCTRL, pricing and terms are the same for every specialty we serve. Mental health is our core focus, and we also bill for primary care, urgent care, cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, OB/GYN, pain management and many other specialties.
Fees to ask about before you sign
The percentage is easy to compare. These are not:
| Fee or term | Why it matters | RevenueCTRL |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly minimum | Can make a “low” rate expensive in your first months | None |
| Setup or onboarding fee | An upfront cost before any claim is sent | None |
| Specialty surcharge | Some companies charge more for procedure-heavy specialties | None; same pricing for every specialty |
| Credentialing | Can cost hundreds per payer | From $80 per payer; 5 commercial payers free with billing |
| EHR or clearinghouse fees | Some companies require their own software and charge for it | None from us; you keep your own EHR and clearinghouse and pay those vendors directly |
| Contract length | Long contracts make it hard to leave | No long-term contract; 30 days’ notice to cancel |
| What the rate includes | Some rates cover claims only | Claims, payment posting, denials, appeals, A/R follow-up and monthly reports |
Real monthly cost at different collection levels
A minimum fee matters most when you are starting out or running a small practice. Here is what different pricing would cost at three levels of monthly collections:
| Monthly collections | RevenueCTRL (2.5%, no minimum) | Example: 4%, no minimum | Example: 6% with a $500 monthly minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 (new practice) | $75 | $120 | $500 |
| $10,000 (solo provider) | $250 | $400 | $600 |
| $50,000 (group practice) | $1,250 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
The second and third columns are examples of common pricing, not quotes from specific companies. Run your own numbers with our billing cost calculator.
What RevenueCTRL’s 2.5% includes
- Benefits checks before visits
- Charge entry from your EHR
- Claim submission within 24 hours of receiving charges
- Payment posting and ERA reconciliation
- Secondary insurance billed after the primary pays
- Denial correction, resubmission and appeals within 5 business days
- A/R follow-up on unpaid and underpaid claims
- A monthly report on collections, denials and A/R
Available to every practice size and specialty. The 2.5% rate is open to solo providers, group practices and brand-new practices, from psychiatry, PMHNPs and therapists to primary care and specialists. A flat monthly fee is also available and is quoted per practice.
Credentialing is separate: from $80 per payer, with 5 commercial payers credentialed free when you sign up for billing. We credential providers in all 50 states, which matters for multi-state telehealth. See how long credentialing takes.
Questions to ask every billing company
- What is your rate, and is it based on what you collect or on what I bill?
- Does the rate change by specialty or claim volume?
- Is there a monthly minimum or a setup fee?
- Is credentialing included or priced separately?
- Do I have to use your EHR or clearinghouse, and is there a charge?
- How long is the contract, and how much notice do I need to cancel?
- Exactly what is included at that rate?
- How fast do you submit claims and work denials?
- Will you sign a BAA before accessing patient information?
Choosing for a mental health practice? See how to choose a mental health billing company.
This guide is general information. Billing company prices vary and change, so always get a written quote and read the agreement before signing.
How RevenueCTRL can help
We bill and credential nationwide for mental and behavioral health practices, psychiatry and PMHNP practices, solo and private practices and practices in most other specialties. See our full pricing, or start with a free 90-day claims audit to see what your current billing is costing you.
Frequently asked questions
How much do medical billing companies charge?
Most charge a percentage of what they collect for you, often somewhere between about 4% and 10% depending on specialty, claim volume and what is included. Others charge per claim or a flat monthly fee. RevenueCTRL charges from 2.5% of collections for every specialty we serve, with no setup fee, no monthly minimum and no long-term contract.
Do billing companies charge more for some specialties?
Many do. Procedure-heavy specialties such as cardiology, orthopedics or pain management are often quoted higher rates than primary care or therapy. RevenueCTRL uses the same pricing and terms for every specialty we serve, from mental health to primary care and surgical specialties.
Is there a monthly minimum with RevenueCTRL?
No. With percentage pricing you pay 2.5% of what we collect for you that month, so a slow first month costs less, not more.
Is the 2.5% rate available to a solo provider or a new practice?
Yes. Solo providers, group practices and brand-new practices in any specialty we serve can start at 2.5% of collections.
Is credentialing included in the billing fee?
Credentialing is priced separately, starting at $80 per payer, and 5 commercial payers are credentialed free when you sign up for billing. We credential providers in all 50 states.
Do I pay RevenueCTRL for my EHR or clearinghouse?
No. Your EHR and clearinghouse accounts stay in your practice's name, and you pay those vendors directly. We work inside your systems and do not add a fee for them.
What is the cheapest medical billing option for a small practice?
Compare total monthly cost, not just the headline rate. Add the percentage fee, any monthly minimum, setup fee, credentialing charges and cancellation terms at your expected collections. A low percentage with no minimum is usually the cheapest for a new or small practice.
Want us to look at your claims?
Free 90-day claims audit: a written report, a dollar estimate of what is recoverable, a review call and a price quote. No obligation.