Cure Core Solutions — Your Trusted Medical Billing Partner
Introduction
What Is Urgent Care Billing?
Urgent care centers provide immediate treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. These walk-in facilities bridge the gap between primary care and emergency rooms, offering fast, affordable services without the need for appointments.
Urgent care billing refers to the process of capturing, coding, submitting, and following up on claims for services delivered at these centers. Due to the high volume of patients and diverse services provided, urgent care billing requires precision, compliance, and real-time accuracy.
Why Is Urgent Care Billing So Important?
Accurate billing in urgent care is vital because:
- Most visits are insurance-based or self-pay, with strict payer rules.
- Delays and errors can lead to denied claims, lost revenue, or compliance issues.
- Fast-paced settings need streamlined workflows to avoid billing bottlenecks.
Efficient billing leads to:
✅ Faster payments
✅ Fewer denials
✅ Better cash flow
✅ Improved patient satisfaction
Common Services Offered in Urgent Care
Understanding what's billed helps clarify why accurate coding matters. Some common services include:
- Acute illness and injury care (fevers, cuts, sprains)
- Minor procedures (suturing, splinting, abscess drainage)
- On-site diagnostics (X-rays, labs, rapid testing)
- Preventive services (vaccinations, physicals)
- Occupational medicine (drug testing, employment screenings)
CPT Codes for Urgent Care Billing
New patient office or outpatient visit (based on complexity)
Established patient visit (based on time and complexity)
Services provided during evenings, weekends, or holidays
Handling and/or conveyance of lab specimen
Emergency department services (used when billing at ER-level acuity)
Repair of superficial wounds (simple closure by site and length)
Debridement services |
Incision and drainage of abscess (simple or single)
Urinalysis, non-automated
Influenza virus test, rapid detection
Immunization administration (per injection or oral/nasal)
Collection of venous blood by venipuncture
Critical care, evaluation and management (first 30–74 mins) – rarely used
Telephone evaluation (if applicable)
Annual wellness visits (for Medicare patients)
Common Modifiers in Urgent Care Billing
The Step-by-Step Urgent Care Billing Process
Patient Registration & Insurance Verification
Accurate demographic entry and eligibility checks are critical. Mistakes here lead to billing errors or claim rejections.
Medical Coding
Coders assign proper ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS codes. Modifiers are added as needed.
Claim Submission
Clean claims are submitted electronically to payers through clearinghouses for faster turnaround.
Payment Posting
Insurance payments and patient payments are posted to accounts. EOBs are reviewed for accuracy.
Denial Management
Any denied or rejected claims are corrected and resubmitted. Root causes are analyzed to avoid recurring issues.
Patient Billing & Collections
Statements are sent to patients for remaining balances, and payment support is offered via mail, portal, or phone.
Common Challenges in Urgent Care Billing
High patient volume = more room for error
Frequent coding changes and payer-specific rules
Multiple payer types: Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, workers’ comp
Authorization confusion for specific tests and imaging
Duplicate claim submissions from walk-in patients
How Cure Core Solutions Helps You Thrive
At Cure Core Solutions, we understand that urgent care billing is fast-paced, complex, and critical to your financial health. That’s why we offer end-to-end billing solutions designed specifically for urgent care practices.
Our Key Services Include:
Accurate coding and documentation review
Real-time eligibility verification and pre-auth management
Timely claim submission and follow-up
Denial resolution and appeals handling
Detailed financial and performance reporting
Patient billing and support services
With Cure Core Solutions, your staff can focus on patient care while we handle the billing side with speed, precision, and compliance.
Benefits of Partnering with Cure Core Solutions
- Reduced claim denials
- Faster reimbursement
- Transparent reporting
- Lower billing errors
- Improved cash flow
- Compliance with HIPAA and payer rules
Dedicated account managers for your practice
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Urgent care sees higher patient volumes and diverse cases, requiring faster, more flexible billing workflows and urgent submission schedules.
CPT codes 99203 (new patient) and 99213 (established patient) are among the most frequently used for standard visits.
Absolutely. We offer full provider credentialing and enrollment services to get you listed with insurance companies and keep you compliant.
By performing thorough eligibility checks, accurate coding, and real-time denial tracking with fast correction and resubmission.
We provide customized reports on billing performance, collections, claim aging, and provider productivity—available monthly or on demand.