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Year-End Medical Billing Checklist for 2026

Ten things to do before January so the new year starts with clean claims and a healthy A/R.

Before the year ends, clear aged A/R and timely-filing risks, renew authorizations, re-verify eligibility for January, check credentialing expirations, confirm the new ICD-10-CM codes are loaded, and prepare for the 2027 fee schedule.

By Bill For You RCM · Published October 23, 2026. Educational information, not legal, coding or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with CMS and each payer.

  1. Work aged A/R. Prioritize claims over 90 days and anything approaching a payer’s filing or appeal deadline.
  2. Check timely filing. Medicare generally allows 12 months from the date of service; other payers vary. Submit unbilled charges now.
  3. Appeal open denials before deadlines lapse, using the payer’s stated reason.
  4. Verify the ICD-10-CM update is live in all systems for October 1, 2026 dates of service. See our FY 2027 update guide.
  5. Renew authorizations that expire at year end and list patients with visit limits that reset in January.
  6. Plan eligibility checks for January. Deductibles reset and many plans change on January 1.
  7. Review credentialing and expirables: state licenses, DEA, malpractice certificates and CAQH re-attestation (currently every 120 days). See credentialing.
  8. Prepare for the 2027 fee schedule. The final rule is pending; see the proposed rule summary.
  9. Confirm telehealth workflows for 2027. See the telehealth checklist.
  10. Run a year-end KPI review: denial rate by payer, days in A/R, net collection rate and top denial reasons. Our denial guide explains the metrics.

Sources and where to verify

  • Check CMS and each payer for current deadlines and policies.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a Medicare claim?

Medicare generally requires claims within 12 months of the date of service. Other payers set their own limits, often shorter, so check each contract.

Why do denials spike in January?

New plan years reset deductibles and change coverage, authorizations expire, and patient eligibility often changes. Re-verify eligibility and renew authorizations before the first visits of the year.

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