2025 Revenue Cycle Management Survey insights

The 2025 Revenue Cycle Management Survey conducted by Smarter Technologies in partnership with MedCity News reveals mounting financial and operational pressures on hospitals and physician practices, driven by worsening reimbursement delays, growing administrative burden, and dissatisfaction with existing billing tools. The slideshow highlights survey results that capture a health system in transition—where traditional revenue cycle strategies are no longer sufficient, and technology-driven solutions are rapidly becoming essential.

A significant theme of the survey is the growing frustration with payment timelines. More than 40% of respondents reported it takes two months or longer to receive reimbursement for services rendered, with Medicaid payments often stretching beyond six months. These delays have a direct impact on cash flow, staff workload, and practice sustainability. Nearly half of respondents experience average billing cycles of six to eight weeks, indicating systemic inefficiencies that disproportionately impact both independent practices and larger health systems.

Administrative inefficiencies are compounded by dissatisfaction with billing software. Respondents cited high costs, coding errors, a lack of integration capabilities, and complex user interfaces as major pain points. Some organizations reported that current systems actually increase manual work rather than reducing it. Additionally, 20% said it costs them more than 10% of the total bill just to collect payment.

One of the most striking takeaways from the survey is the overwhelming interest in artificial intelligence and automation. More than 90% of respondents expressed interest in AI-driven solutions to streamline claims, manage denials, and improve payer communication. Two-thirds already have experience with AI-led vendors, with mostly positive results. Automation of tasks like eligibility verification, payment reconciliation, and predictive analytics was cited as a pathway to not only improving revenue performance, but also reducing staff burnout and freeing clinicians to spend more time on patient care.

Overall, the survey underscores a pivotal moment in revenue cycle operations—where modernization is no longer optional, but essential for financial resilience and clinical efficiency.