Daily and month-to-date are different views.
Daily figures describe the activity reported for that day. Month-to-date figures accumulate within the month. A ratio from the first week is not comparable to a completed month without accounting for that difference.
Aging shows what remains outstanding.
Accounts receivable aging groups balances by age. Insurance and patient balances should be reviewed separately so you can see where the work sits.
| Bucket | Meaning in an aging report |
|---|---|
| 0–30 | Balances in the first aging range |
| 31–60 | Balances more than 30 days old |
| 61–90 | Balances more than 60 days old |
| 91+ | Balances more than 90 days old |
“Over 30 days” combines the last three buckets. Use the same report definitions and software settings when comparing periods.
A reduction in aging is not the same as cash collected.
Payments can reduce outstanding balances, but so can adjustments, write-offs, or transfers. New balances also enter the report. Review aging alongside collection and adjustment figures before drawing a conclusion.
Understand the collection-ratio formula.
Before comparing collection ratios, check which collections and production figures your practice management software uses. Confirm whether the calculation includes insurance collections, patient collections, or both, and whether production is gross or net of adjustments. A collection ratio is not the same as the percentage of claims paid.
Collections and production may relate to different periods. Payments received this month may include treatment completed earlier. Compare the same formula and reporting periods so a change in the ratio has useful context.
Check the source date.
Check the date range and the date the report was generated in your practice management software. Use consistent report settings when comparing periods, and confirm whether recent payments and adjustments have been posted. Missing information should not be treated as a genuine zero.