Dental billing isn’t just about submitting claims. It’s also about making sure your practice actually collects what it has earned. That’s where aging accounts receivable (A/R) comes in. Many dental practices lose thousands of dollars each year simply because their A/R isn’t managed properly.
In this post, we’ll break down what aging A/R means, why it’s such a critical metric for your practice, and the steps you can take to keep collections healthy and predictable.
What Does “Aging A/R” Mean?
Accounts Receivable (A/R) is the money owed to your practice by patients and insurance companies after services have been provided. When those balances are tracked by how long they’ve been outstanding, it’s called aging A/R.
A typical aging report divides balances into categories such as:
0–30 days: Current balances, considered healthy
31–60 days: Delayed, needs monitoring
61–90 days: Problematic, collections getting harder
90+ days: At risk of write-off, recovery unlikely
In short: the longer a balance sits unpaid, the less likely you are to collect it.
Why Dental Practices Struggle with Aging A/R
Many dentists assume that once a claim is submitted, payment will follow automatically. Unfortunately, that isn’t always true. Practices face a range of issues that allow balances to “age” and pile up:
Claim denials due to missing information or incorrect coding
Insurance delays that push payments past 60 or 90 days
Unclear patient statements, leaving patients unsure of what they owe
Weak follow-up processes, where staff don’t consistently chase unpaid claims
The Real Cost of Aging A/R
When balances age, your practice pays the price in more ways than one:
Cash Flow Pressure
Money tied up in unpaid claims can’t be used to pay staff, order supplies, or grow your practice.
Higher Write-Offs
Balances older than 90 days are rarely collected in full and often written off as bad debt.
Wasted Staff Time
The longer a claim sits, the more work it takes to resolve. Staff spend hours reworking denials and following up on old accounts.
Patient Dissatisfaction
If billing isn’t clear and timely, patients may lose trust in your practice and look elsewhere for care.
How to Control and Reduce Aging A/R
Reducing aged A/R doesn’t require complicated systems it requires consistent processes and the right tools. Here’s where to start:
Verify Insurance Upfront
Check eligibility and benefits before treatment to prevent denials later. This step alone can eliminate many payment delays.
Submit Clean Claims
Use correct CDT codes, attach required documentation, and double-check demographic information. Clean claims are approved faster and with fewer issues.
Work A/R Weekly, Not Monthly
Don’t wait until balances hit 90 days. Set a schedule for weekly A/R reviews and follow-ups to resolve issues early.
Communicate Clearly with Patients
Send statements that are simple, transparent, and easy to understand. Patients are more likely to pay quickly when bills are clear.
Consider Outsourcing Billing
Partnering with a dental billing service ensures consistent follow-up and expert denial management. Outsourcing often pays for itself by reducing lost revenue.
How CoDent Healthcare Solutions Helps Practices
At CoDent Healthcare Solutions, we know how damaging aged A/R can be for a practice. That’s why our team:
Tracks claims proactively, before they get stuck in aging buckets
Provides denial management and appeals to recover revenue faster
Ensures transparency with patients through clear billing support
Helps practices achieve healthier A/R days and predictable cash flow
With CoDent, your team can stop chasing old claims and focus on delivering quality care to patients.