ELS Medical Billing Group

10/29/2026

🚨 THE PRIMARY INSURANCE PAID… SO WHY IS THE SECONDARY CLAIM STILL DENIED? 🤔💰

Welcome back to another medical billing lesson!

Last time, we talked about Coordination of Benefits (COB) and why knowing which insurance pays first matters.

But here’s where things get interesting…

✅ Primary insurance processed the claim.

✅ Payment was received.

❌ Secondary insurance rejected or denied the claim.

And now everyone’s wondering… WHAT HAPPENED?! 😩

Here’s something every billing professional should remember:

PRIMARY PAID ≠ CLAIM CLOSED!

Before submitting that secondary claim, ask yourself:

🔎 Did we verify the correct payer order?

🔎 Did we receive the primary payer’s EOB or ERA?

🔎 Were the primary payment amounts and adjustments reported correctly?

🔎 Does the secondary payer require us to submit the claim, or will it cross over automatically?

🔎 Have we verified the secondary payer’s filing requirements?

And here’s the BIG one:

💡 Having two insurance policies does NOT automatically mean two insurance payments!

Secondary payers coordinate benefits according to their coverage provisions and applicable COB rules.

At ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC, we believe effective revenue cycle management means following the entire claim—not just celebrating the first payment.

Because sometimes the revenue you’re looking for isn’t in a new patient appointment.

It’s sitting in an unresolved claim. 🎯

💬 Medical billers, coders, and practice managers: What’s the most frustrating secondary insurance issue you’ve encountered?

Let’s talk about it in the comments! 👇

10/27/2026

🚨 TWO INSURANCE POLICIES. ONE CLAIM. WHO PAYS FIRST?

Having two insurance plans doesn’t automatically mean a patient has better coverage—or that a healthcare provider will receive more reimbursement.

This is where Coordination of Benefits (COB) becomes critical.

COB determines which insurance company has primary responsibility for processing a claim when a patient has multiple sources of coverage.

💡 Here’s what healthcare providers need to understand:

✅ Primary vs. Secondary Insurance: The primary payer processes the claim first. The secondary payer may cover eligible remaining expenses according to its benefits.

✅ Accurate Patient Registration: Insurance information should be verified and updated regularly. Outdated coverage information can cause unnecessary claim denials.

✅ Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Rules: Medicare isn’t always the primary payer. Employment-based insurance, workers’ compensation, and certain other coverage situations can change payment responsibility.

✅ Secondary Claim Submission: Secondary claims must include the appropriate primary payer payment or adjudication information to support accurate processing.

✅ Revenue Cycle Monitoring: Unresolved COB issues can result in delayed reimbursement, increased accounts receivable, and additional administrative work.

📌 The key takeaway?

A claim can be coded correctly, submitted on time, and still be denied because the wrong insurance company was billed first.

Revenue cycle management isn’t just about submitting claims. It’s about understanding the entire reimbursement process.

At ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC, we believe informed billing practices lead to stronger revenue cycle performance.

🌐 www.elsmedicalbillinggroup.net

10/20/2026

🚑 Buying an ambulance is one thing. Building an operational ambulance company is another.

Behind every successful ambulance operation is much more than a vehicle, medical equipment, and a qualified crew.

There are licensing requirements, regulatory approvals, operational policies, staffing considerations, provider enrollment, dispatch procedures, documentation systems, and revenue cycle processes that must all come together.

And here’s something many new business owners discover along the way:

Having the pieces doesn’t necessarily mean you have a plan.

Whether you’re transitioning from Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) into Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance services, starting a new ground ambulance company, or expanding an existing operation, coordination matters.

At ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC, we’re expanding the conversation beyond medical billing.

Through our EMS & Ambulance Project Management Services, we help business owners navigate the operational and administrative complexities of building and expanding ambulance services.

✅ EMS licensing and regulatory readiness support

✅ Operational planning and implementation coordination

✅ Provider enrollment and credentialing

✅ EMS billing and revenue cycle preparation

✅ NEMT-to-BLS ambulance expansion support

Our goal is simple: Help ambulance entrepreneurs turn their business plans into organized, actionable projects.

Because launching an ambulance operation isn’t just about getting on the road. It’s about building a business that’s prepared to operate, maintain compliance, and sustain growth.

🚑 Planning to launch or expand an ambulance service? Let’s talk about your project.

🌐 www.elsmedicalbillinggroup.net

10/09/2026

🚑 READY TO START YOUR OWN LICENSED AMBULANCE SERVICE?

Already own an NEMT business and ready to take your company to the next level?

ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC now offers EMS Licensing & Ambulance Startup Project Management Services to help entrepreneurs and existing transportation companies navigate the complex process of establishing a licensed ground ambulance operation.

Whether you’re planning to launch a Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance service, we provide comprehensive project management and regulatory coordination to help move your business from planning to operational readiness.

✅ OUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE:

🚑 Licensing & Regulatory Coordination

* State EMS licensing application preparation and submission support
* Regulatory requirements and compliance assessments
* Coordination with state EMS regulatory authorities
* Licensing documentation and application tracking

👩‍⚕️ Medical & Clinical Personnel Coordination

* Medical Director recruitment and coordination
* EMT and paramedic staffing coordination
* EMS leadership and required personnel role planning
* Personnel credential and certification documentation

📋 Policies, Protocols & Compliance

* EMS policy and procedure development support
* Medical Director protocol coordination
* Infection control and operational compliance planning
* EMS data management policies and documentation
* Quality assurance and operational readiness preparation

💻 EMS Systems & Documentation

* Electronic patient care reporting (ePCR) system coordination
* State EMS data reporting requirements
* Dispatch documentation and operational logs
* EMS records management planning

🚨 Ambulance & Equipment Readiness

* Ambulance vehicle documentation and regulatory coordination
* Vehicle licensing and inspection preparation
* Required equipment and medical supply planning
* CLIA Certificate of Waiver application assistance, when applicable
* Insurance documentation coordination

📈 Business Operations & Revenue Cycle Readiness

* EMS provider enrollment and credentialing support
* Ambulance billing and revenue cycle management planning
* Claims processing and reimbursement workflow preparation
* Operational implementation and launch coordination

FROM BUSINESS CONCEPT TO AMBULANCE LICENSING READINESS — WE HELP MANAGE THE PROCESS.

Don’t navigate the complex EMS startup and licensing process alone.

📩 Schedule an EMS Project Management Consultation Today!

ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC

🌐 www.elsmedicalbillinggroup.net

📞 706-550-9273

Services are customized based on state requirements and the level of ambulance service requested. All licensing approvals are subject to the applicable regulatory authorities.

10/01/2026

💡 Small Business Owners: Heres a Government Contracting Lesson to Carry Into the New Fiscal Year!

September 30th has officially passed, and today, October 1st, marks the beginning of the federal governments 2027 fiscal year.

Why is this important?

As the federal fiscal year comes to an end, government agencies often work to obligate funding before certain funds expire. Youve probably heard the phrase use it or lose it.

But heres something I want small-business owners to understand, especially those interested in becoming federal subcontractors.

Dont wait until the end of the fiscal year to start connecting with prime contractors!

Start early. Research companies that already hold federal contracts. Introduce your business, share your capability statement, and begin building those relationships.

Prime contractors may need qualified small businesses to help fulfill contract requirements, and you want your company to be on their radar when those opportunities arise.

Although September 30th has passed, take this as a lesson moving forward.

Preparation creates opportunities, and relationships take time to build.

The new fiscal year is here. What are you doing today to position your business for tomorrows opportunities?

— Ericia Smith
Founder & CEO | ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC
Certified SCORE Mentor

09/24/2026

🚨 Want practical information on business, healthcare, and government contracting?

I’m now offering subscriber-only educational content on my page for entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and business owners who want to learn, grow, and better understand the business side of healthcare.

Subscribers can expect exclusive tips and educational content on topics such as:

• Government contracting and getting your business government-ready
• Starting and structuring a business
• Medical billing, coding, and revenue cycle management
• EMS and ambulance billing
• Provider enrollment and credentialing
• Healthcare administration and compliance
• Building and growing a healthcare business
• Lessons I’ve learned while building ELS Medical Billing Group
• Resources, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes business education

My goal is to share real, practical information you can actually use—not just general motivation.

If you’re serious about learning more about healthcare administration, entrepreneurship, medical billing, or government contracting, I’d love to have you join the subscriber community.

📲 Subscribe here:
👉 https://www.facebook.com/ericia.l.smith/subscribe/

Join the community and get access to subscriber-only educational content, tips, tutorials, and resources.

ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC
Educating. Empowering. Building stronger healthcare businesses.

09/24/2026

A lesson for business owners:

Being constantly busy does not automatically mean you are running your business well.

You can be moving all day, starting new projects, opening new businesses, answering calls, taking meetings, and jumping from one opportunity to the next — and still have important things falling through the cracks.

Emails go unanswered.

Deadlines get missed.

Licenses and credentials aren’t updated.

Important information isn’t communicated to the people who need it.

Applications get delayed.

Problems that could have been prevented suddenly cost additional time and money to fix.

At some point, business ownership requires you to stop being in constant “go mode” and actually manage the business.

You have to check your emails.

You have to know when licenses, certifications, contracts, insurance policies, and enrollments are expiring.

You have to communicate changes to your billing company, credentialing team, employees, contractors, and other professionals working on your behalf.

You have to create systems.

You have to follow through.

And sometimes, you have to say, “I have enough on my plate right now. Let me build this properly before I start something else.”

There is nothing wrong with having multiple goals or multiple businesses. But starting 10 different things while none of them has the structure, systems, attention, or consistency they need can create unnecessary chaos.

Growth without organization can become expensive.

Expansion without systems can become overwhelming.

And poor communication can turn a small administrative task into a much bigger problem.

Sometimes the smartest business decision is not starting something new.

Sometimes it’s sitting down, getting organized, tightening your systems, learning your current business, and making sure what you already built is actually running correctly.

Focus first. Build it well. Then expand.

— ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC

09/21/2026

One piece of outdated business advice I hear all the time is:

“Wait until you see the perfect opportunity before you start building relationships.”

I don’t believe that works anymore—especially in government contracting.

By the time a solicitation is released, the agency may already understand the market, know which companies are capable, and have spent months gathering information through industry days, capability briefings, sources sought notices, vendor outreach, and market research.

That means waiting until the opportunity is posted can put you behind.

My approach is different.

I believe in building relationships before there is something to bid on.

I want contracting professionals and small business representatives to already understand:

• Who my company is
• What problems we solve
• What capabilities we bring
• Where we fit—and where we don’t
• How we can support as a prime or subcontractor

Not every introduction will become a contract.

Not every meeting will lead to an immediate opportunity.

But every meaningful conversation helps me better understand the marketplace and position my company more intentionally.

The old advice was: Find the contract, then introduce yourself.

The better approach?

Build the relationship before the opportunity arrives.

That’s one lesson I’m carrying with me as I continue growing ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC.

09/15/2026

I’m excited to share that I am now a SCORE Certified Mentor! 🎉

Becoming a SCORE mentor gives me another opportunity to do something I truly enjoy — helping entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring business owners gain clarity, build stronger businesses, and move forward with confidence.

Through SCORE, I’ll have the opportunity to mentor individuals who may need assistance with areas such as business planning, healthcare entrepreneurship, medical billing and revenue cycle operations, credentialing, government contracting readiness, business growth, and more.

If you’re looking for mentorship or business guidance and would like the opportunity to connect with me through SCORE, visit the SCORE website and submit a mentorship request.

👉 Request SCORE Mentorship Here:
https://www.score.org/

I’ll also be speaking with my chapter leadership about opportunities to participate in and possibly lead upcoming workshops and educational sessions. I’m looking forward to sharing knowledge, meeting more entrepreneurs, and hopefully seeing some of my LinkedIn followers and supporters there!

This is another chapter of growth for me — not only building ELS Medical Billing Group, LLC, but also giving back by helping other entrepreneurs build their own path to success.

Get free expert mentoring, workshops, and resources to start, grow, or transition your small business with guidance tailored to every stage of your journey.