Echo Billing Solutions, Inc.

10/07/2026

BCBSIL has begun postpayment reviews of Medicaid claims effective October 2, 2026, reviewing claims paid January 1, 2026 and forward for coding, billing and reimbursement inconsistencies. Providers could face refund requests or future claim adjustments when documentation does not support the payment. Link to BCBS of IL notice in comments:

10/01/2026

Good Grief! A Texas mental health clinic owner was convicted in a $26 million TRICARE fraud scheme involving unnecessary or nonexistent TMS treatments, kickbacks, fake records, and misuse of doctors’ credentials.

According to the DOJ, he falsely held himself out as a medical doctor and used actual doctors’ credentials without their knowledge or consent to bill TRICARE.

In total: $26 million in false, fraudulent, and kickback-tainted TMS claims.

And apparently some of the money went toward hotels, a lavish casino-themed party, and a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck!!

Source: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/texas-mental-health-clinic-owner-convicted-26m-scheme-defraud-military-health-benefits

09/17/2026

BCBS of IL: 3 Ascension plans leaving BCBS HMO networks in 2027. This after many Advocate HMO plans left in 2025. Affected HMO members should review their provider/medical group assignment before the end of 2026. BCBSIL expects to begin mailing notices to impacted members later this month.

Three Ascension IPAs will leave BCBSIL HMO networks Jan. 1, 2027. Learn what this means for affected members.

09/14/2026

It was truly an honor to speak alongside some of the best in the industry at this year’s AMBA conference. I had the opportunity to speak about AI in RCM and share practical ways billing companies and healthcare professionals can start using AI in their everyday work.

A huge thank you to the entire American Medical Billing Association - AMBA team for putting together such a wonderful event. I’m incredibly grateful to have been a part of it and to spend time learning, connecting, and sharing ideas with so many amazing people in our industry.

09/08/2026

Getting ready to speak at the 2026 American Medical Billing Conference on AI in RCM, so of course I decided to ask AI to make a cartoon of me at work based on what it knows about me. ChatGPT suggested it, so it seemed like fun.

At first glance, it actually looks pretty spot on and is a little comical. Then I looked closer.

One of my boys in the picture frame has “Proud Mom” written on the bottom of his shirt. Great. He IS in college, he IS a good human, but apparently he is also a Proud Mom. Hmmmm.

And this is exactly the point I keep making. AI is a fantastic tool. I use it all the time. But you HAVE to review what it gives you. In this case, the mistake is funny and means absolutely nothing. But what if instead it gave you a Medicare LCD from the wrong MAC or the wrong jurisdiction and you followed it? What if it pulled an outdated payer policy or gave you a rule that applies in another state? How out of compliance could you end up?

Don’t get lazy & read what it gives you as well as checking the sources. Verify the details. AI is a tool & you are still responsible for the work.

08/28/2026

I’m excited to be speaking at the 26th Annual AMBA National Medical Billing & Coding Conference in Vegas! AMBA has put together a great lineup this year, and I’ll be presenting alongside Christine Hall, BSHM on Building Your Own AI Assistant.

I hope to see many of my fellow billing colleagues there!

If you’re planning to attend and are looking for a discount code, send me a DM.

Room Block EXTENDED! 00d 00h 00m 00s Book Hotel → Agenda Registration Speakers Exhibitors Sponsors Hotel & Transpo Join us at the 2026 AMBA National Medical Billing and Coding Conference in Las Vegas…

08/22/2026

🎤 Meet the Experts Taking the Stage at AMBA 2026!

From industry insights to real-world strategies, our incredible lineup of speakers is bringing knowledge, experience, and fresh perspectives to the AMBA National Conference.

📍 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
📅 September 9–10, 2026

🎟️ Register now and join us in Las Vegas!

Registration: https://www.ambastore.net/category_s/207.htm

Conference Information: https://www.americanmedicalbillingassociation.com/conference-information/

Agenda: https://www.americanmedicalbillingassociation.com/national-conference/agenda/

08/20/2026

Cigna Individual & Family Plans Ending in 2027

Cigna Healthcare has announced that it will discontinue all medical Individual & Family Plans (IFPs), both on and off the Health Insurance Marketplace, effective January 1, 2027.

An interesting side note: This summer, Evernorth/Cigna has also paused accepting new applications for behavioral health providers. The current guidance points providers toward September 1, 2026 as a date to revisit the application process however we would not be surprised if that pause extends beyond that date.

will continue watching for updates.

Effective January 1, 2027, Cigna Healthcare® will discontinue offering medical Individual & Family Plans (IFPs) [...]Read now

08/06/2026

It is coming up quickly. One month to go for the 2026 AMBA National Conference! https://www.americanmedicalbillingassociation.com/conference-information/

07/04/2026