BOOST My Claims helps PT private practice groups get higher reimbursements on their workers' comp and auto claims by protecting the claims from PPO, network and retroactive reductions.

Free Reimbursement Review

BOOST My Claims helps PT private practice groups get higher reimbursements on their workers' comp and auto claims by protecting the claims from PPO, network and retroactive reductions.

Are PT Clinics Profitable?

Owning a Physical Therapy (PT) clinic can be personally rewarding and financially rewarding. But like any business, your profitability depends on several factors.

From reimbursement rates to patient volume and operational efficiency, your success is shaped by decisions made both in the treatment room and in the office.

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Average Profit Margins

Physical Therapy clinics usually operate with a profit margin between 10% to 25%. Clinics that are well-managed, with a balanced payer mix and high patient volume, often fall on the higher end of that range. If you rely heavily on low-paying insurance contracts, you may see tighter margins.

What Drives your Revenue

The primary source of revenue is the number of patient visits. The more efficiently you can treat patients without sacrificing quality, the stronger your revenue stream will be. PT clinics usually generate between $100 to $150 per visit, depending on the payer and location.

If  you BOOST your Workers' Comp or Auto claims, you can get $53 more per claim on average, which adds up.  

Additional revenue may come from:

  • Workers’ compensation or auto injury cases, which tend to pay more than traditional insurance.
  • Cash-based services like wellness programs, personal training, or dry needling
  • Ancillary services such as massage therapy, bracing, or home exercise equipment

Insurance companies love to reduce your payments with PPO, Network and Retroactive Discounts. They will often discount your payments even if you have a contract. BOOST protects you against those discounts, making sure you aren't leaving any money on the table. The process works without any changes to your EMR or billing system so it's a seamless partnership.

Expense Considerations

Key expenses include staff salaries (especially for PTs and front-desk staff), rent, equipment, continuing education and billing services. High payroll costs and inefficient billing can eat into profits quickly, making operational systems and collections a critical part of your success.

What Makes a Clinic More Profitable?

  • 1. Efficient scheduling to minimize no-shows and downtime
  • 2. Skilled billing and coding to ensure proper reimbursement
  • 3. Diversified services to reduce reliance on any single payer
  • 4. Referral relationships with physicians, attorneys, or employers
  • 5. Niche specialties like post-surgical rehab or sports injuries

Final Word

Physical Therapy clinics can be very profitable, especially when led by a clinician or owner with a strong business plan. The most successful clinics don’t just focus on great care; they focus on smart systems, data and building long-term patient trust. Instead of spending hours fighting with insurance companies to get the reimbursements you deserve, it saves time and headaches working with a system like BOOST that has already perfected the process. The extra revenue can be spent hiring more staff. The time you save frees you up to do what you love most, treat patients. 

How Much Does a Physical Therapist with Their Own Clinic Make?

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Owning your own Physical Therapy clinic is a major step, but does it pay off? For many PTs, the answer is yes, especially when you understand how to manage revenue streams, payer mix and billing processes. 

 

So, how much does a Physical Therapist clinic owner make? 

Average Income for a PT Clinic Owner 

The income range for clinic owners varies, but most earn between $80,000 to $150,000 per year. This range depends on where the clinic is located, the specialties offered (like sports rehab, pelvic health, or neurological therapy), how many patients the clinic sees weekly and the clinic's reimbursement rates based on its insurance contracts.  

 

In high-performing practices, those with multiple locations or strong niche services, annual income can reach $200,000 to $400,000+. 

Why Reimbursement Strategy Matters More Than Volume

The number of patients isn't the only factor driving success. One of the biggest tools for clinic owners is their reimbursement strategy. Getting paid well for each visit is just as important as patient volume.  

 

Owners who optimize their payer mix to focus on both high-reimbursement cases, like workers’ compensation and motor vehicle accident (MVA) claims, plus private pay clients, tend to build more profitable practices. 

BOOSTing the Value of Each Visit

BOOST is a tool that helps clinic owners improve revenue without adding more patients or changing systems. On average, clinics that use BOOST see a $53 increase per visit on workers’ comp and auto claims. That translates to $100,000 or more annually for clinics that only see a modest number of those patients each week. 

 

Optimizing claim processing and ensuring maximum reimbursement means that BOOST frees up cash flow and gives clinic owners the resources to pay competitive salaries, invest in growth, or simply take home more income for themselves.  

Managing Revenue and Expenses to BOOST Take-Home Pay

Profitability isn’t just about the revenue that comes in - it’s also about what stays in your business. Owners who carefully manage costs like rent, utilities, staff wages, benefits, marketing and billing services typically take home more. Running a lean, efficient clinic without compromising patient care is key to increasing your net income. 

 

How you earn that revenue matters. The number of patients you treat is only one part. If your clinic treats a high volume of patients but relies on low-reimbursement contracts or accepts silent PPO discounts, your income will stay low. Focusing on high-value service lines like workers' comp, motor vehicle accident (MVA) claims and private pay patients can significantly raise the dollar amount you're reimbursed per visit. 

 

Revenue strategy plays a larger role than just hustle or patient volume. A well-structured billing approach with the right services can be the difference between struggling to break even and building a thriving, profitable clinic. 

Long-Term Value of Clinic Ownership

In the long term, clinic ownership can offer benefits beyond salary. Owning the business builds equity, and many PTs eventually expand to multiple clinics or add ancillary services like dry needling, massage therapy, performance training, or wellness programs to grow revenue further. 

 
Owning a PT clinic can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding — if you run it as a business. See how BOOST can increase your per-visit revenue and support your clinic's long-term profitability.

What is the Billing Rule for PTs?

Getting paid for your work as a physical therapist isn’t just about providing great care but also about billing correctly. 
 
Physical therapy billing can be confusing, especially with different rules for Medicare, commercial payers, and workers’ comp. But the #1 rule you need to understand is the 8-Minute Rule. 

 

Here’s what PT clinics need to know to bill accurately, stay compliant, and maximize reimbursement. 

 

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1. What is the 8-Minute rule in Physical therapy?

The 8-Minute Rule comes from Medicare and determines how many timed CPT codes you can bill for a single treatment session. 

 

You can bill 1 unit of a timed service if you provide at least 8 minutes, and more units for longer sessions.

  • 1 unit: 8–22 minutes 
  • 2 units: 23–37 minutes 
  • 3 units: 38–52 minutes 
  • 4 units: 53–67 minutes 

You add all timed minutes together (from services like therapeutic exercise or manual therapy) and then apply the chart. Do not include non-timed codes (like evaluations or unattended e-stim) in this calculation. 

2. Which CPT Codes are TimeD vs. Untimed?

 Timed CPT Codes: 

  • 97110: Therapeutic Exercise 

  • 97140: Manual Therapy 

  • 97530: Therapeutic Activities 

  • 97112: Neuromuscular Re-ed 

 

  • Untimed CPT Codes: 

    • 97001: Evaluation (initial) 

    • 97002: Re-evaluation 

    • 97014: Unattended E-stim

 

You can only bill one unit of an untimed code per day per patient, regardless of time spent.

3. Medicare vs. commercial Payers

While Medicare strictly follows the 8-Minute Rule, some commercial insurers follow a different method, such as billing based on each individual CPT code's time, not total time across all. 

 

Make sure your billing team checks each payer’s rules and contracts to avoid denials or overbilling. 

4. Documentation must support time & Services

To justify the units you bill:

  • 1. Document the start/stop times or total time per service 

  • 2. Include objective goals, progress and medical necessity 

  • 3. Ensure the plan of care is signed by the referring provider (especially for Medicare) 

  • 4. Insufficient documentation is a leading reason for denied or clawed-back payments 

5. PArtnering for better reimbursement

The best billing strategy combines clinical excellence with administrative precision. BOOST partners with PT clinics to help ensure proper coding, documentation and reimbursement, especially for complex claims like workers’ comp and auto injury. Billing doesn’t have to be a guessing game.  

 

Learn how BOOST supports PT clinics in getting paid accurately, completely and on time.  

How Profitable is a PT Clinic?

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If you're considering opening a Physical Therapy clinic or you're already running one, you may be wondering how your numbers compare. You’re likely asking, "How profitable is this business really?" 

The truth is, well-run clinics can be very profitable. The margins depend on several factors like location, payer mix and how efficiently the practice is managed.

The Kind of Profit You Can expect

Most outpatient Physical Therapy clinics operate with net profit margins between 10% to 20%. Those that specialize in higher-paying cases like Workers’ Comp or Auto Injury can push that number even higher, often reaching 25% or more. This can translate into an annual take-home income between $120K to $250K depending on how many patients are seen each day, how much each visit reimburses and how tightly expenses are controlled.

The biggest challenge for the profitable Workers' Comp and MVA cases will be stopping insurance companies from making PPO, Network and Retroactive Discounts. They'll use discounts to lower your payments even if you have a contract. You could spend hours fighting those decisions, or just BOOST your claims. BOOST protects your Workers' Comp and Auto claims from being discounted, increasing each payment by $53 on average.

LEt's Look at the Numbers

A typical clinic might generate between $150K and $250K in revenue per PT per year. Operating margins in the 10% to 15% range create a strong opportunity for profitability, especially when supported by in-house billing and consistent patient volume.

With a few smart changes, like focusing more on cash-pay services or higher-reimbursing claim types, your annual profit can increase significantly.

  • 14 patient visits per day
  • $100 average reimbursement per visit
  • Around $30,000 in monthly revenue
  • $22,000 in expenses (staff, rent, billing, supplies)
  • $8,000 in monthly profit or $96,000 per year

What Makes a Clinic More Profitable?

Several things can move the needle when it comes to PT clinic profitability:

Case type matters. Workers’ Comp and Auto insurance cases often reimburse far more per visit than standard private insurance.

Cash-based services add flexibility and margin. Services like dry needling, strength training, or recovery sessions can generate high-margin revenue without insurance hassles.

Therapist productivity is key. Clinics that schedule 12 to 16 patients per day per PT tend to perform better financially.

Operational efficiency makes a big difference. Clinics with strong in-house billing, tight scheduling, and clear no-show policies reduce revenue leaks and speed up cash flow.

Here's What can Hurt your Profit

Profitability can suffer due to low-paying insurance contracts, frequent patient cancellations, high staffing costs or slow reimbursement cycles caused by billing errors or denials. Many clinics also unknowingly lose revenue from coding mistakes, underbilling or simply not following up on denied claims. They seem like small issues but they can add up quickly. 

bottom line

PT clinics can be profitable and sustainable businesses. You have to understand where your revenue comes from, how to manage the costs and know the strategies that unlock financial potential. Working with a company like BOOST can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Not only does BOOST stop insurance deductions to your Workers' Comp and MVA claim payments, it works seamlessly with your current billing systems and EMR so the process is easy. BOOST can have a huge impact on your bottom line.  

For clinic owners who focus on efficiency, higher-value cases and patient engagement, there are not only financial reward but also the freedom to run a practice on your own terms. For clinic owners who focus on efficiency, higher-value cases and patient engagement, there are not only financial reward but also the freedom to run a practice on your own terms.


How Do I Make More Money as a Physical Therapist?

See more patients. That's always what people suggest, right? While it's a solid strategy, you're probably too busy with patient care as it is, not to mention billing, marketing and whatever side hustle you are trying to bring in more cash business. These might be better strategies:

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1. Specialize Services

    • Orthopedic PT: Can boost revenue with high patient volume and broad referrals.
    • Neurological PT: Provides long-term patients, which is a steady revenue.
    • Pelvic Health PT: Growing in popularity. Highly specialized so there isn't much competition.
    • Sports PT: Opportunities for private pay. Can work with athletic teams.
  • Workers' Comp & Auto Injury PT: Potential for higher reimbursements.

2. Optimize Insurance Reimbursement

  • Code Correctly: Many Physical Therapy clinics make the mistake billing 1 or 2 units when more services were provided. Use the 8 Minute Rule to bill the maximum units per session. Defaulting to generic codes with lower reimbursements or not using evaluation codes properly can also be a problem.

  • Don't Accept PPO or Retroactive Discounts on Workers' Comp or Auto Claims:  Physical Therapist clinics leave money on the table because they accept cuts to their payments, even when a contract is in place. It makes sense to send those claims to BOOST for processing. Nationally, clinics get $53 more per visit on average when the claims go through BOOST. It can partner with your billing so you don't have to change systems or spend extra admin time.

  • Maximize Reimbursements: Research payer policies, get pre-approvals and appeal denied claims consistently. You can also partner with a billing team, do monthly audits and set clear KPIs.

3. Reduce cancellations and No-Shows

  • Appointment Reminders: Give a reminder card before patients leave your office. Follow up with an appointment reminder by text.
  • Educate Your Patients: Make sure you are explaining how PT is improving their health. Patients are more likely to make appointments when they understand the benefits to their health.
    • Enforce a Cancellation Policy: You shouldn't be the one losing money when a patient is a no-show. It is standard practice to charge a fee for canceling 24 or 48 hours before an appointment. Keep a patient waitlist and book another client in that missed spot.

BOOST My Claims

BOOST tackles declining insurance reimbursements for workers' comp and auto claims head-on. You’ll get higher reimbursements without overhauling your existing systems. Boost seamlessly integrates into your current operations. You won’t have to change your billing system or EMR. You'll never have to alter your treatment practices. 

Are Physical Therapy Salaries Increasing?

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It’s no secret that the cost of running a physical therapy practice is rising. But what about you, the PT delivering the care?

Are physical therapy salaries keeping up? 

The short answer: yes, but not evenly. 

The average Physical Therapy salary in 2024 was $101,020, according to the US News & World Report. That was a slight increase. Some regions are seeing PT salaries above $114,000. If you are in the top 10% of earners, you can expect to take home more than $130,870 a year.

1. National Averages Are Climbing 

Physical Therapist salaries have seen steady gains year over year. While some markets remain flat, most regions are seeing modest increases. 

While the average has gone up nationwide, where you practice matters. For example: 

  • California: $114,270 

  • Nevada: $111,460 

  • New Jersey: $109,280 

These states top the list for PT pay, driven by higher cost of living and demand. 

2. Specialization Drives Higher Pay 

PTs with advanced training or board certifications tend to earn more. For example:

  • Orthopedic Clinical Specialists (OCS) and Neurologic Clinical Specialists (NCS) typically command higher salaries. 
  • Pelvic health and vestibular therapy are growing areas with fewer specialists, creating room for premium compensation. 

3. Clinic Reimbursement Impacts Salaries

Your clinic’s payer mix and billing efficiency play a major role. Reimbursement rates from private insurance, Workers' Comp and Auto Injury cases impact how much clinics can afford to pay. 

That’s why clinics using BOOST - which increases Workers’ Comp and MVA claim reimbursements by $53 per visit on average - often have more flexibility to pay staff competitively. 

4. Location Matters 

States with strong healthcare networks or greater demand for outpatient rehab services tend to offer higher pay.

    • Rural areas may offer sign-on bonuses or loan repayment incentives but come with lower base pay. 

    • Urban or high-cost-of-living areas may offer higher base compensation but come with more competition. 

5. Staff vs. Owner Gap

Clinic owners who leverage smart billing strategies often see income growth outpacing staff raises. Rather than just more patients, it's better reimbursement strategy that drives profitability. 

Bottom Line

PT salaries are rising, but not evenly. Specialization, setting and smart revenue strategy make all the difference. Discover how BOOST can increase reimbursements and open the door to higher compensation for your team. https://boostmyclaims.com/find-out-if-you-qualify/

How Can a Physical Therapist Maximize Income?

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As a physical therapist, you probably aren’t looking to work more hours. You just want to be paid better for the hours you're already working. 

If you're a physical therapist or clinic owner wondering how to make more money without burning out, the solution isn’t necessarily more patients. It’s about working smarter. 

Here are five strategies PTs are using to maximize income and thrive in 2025: 

1. Specialize in High-Value Services 

Certifications in pelvic health, vestibular therapy, or orthopedic rehab don’t just expand your clinical skill set, they open the door to $10,000 to $30,000 more per year, depending on your setting and location. 

Pelvic floor PTs can average $102,000 to $121,000 a year, with some higher level roles making $132,000. It’s an example of a niche with rising demand and limited competition. 

2. Maximize Units Through Smart Billing 

Many PTs underbill, often defaulting to just 1 to 2 units per session. Using the 8-minute rule and documenting appropriately can increase income without seeing more patients. Each extra unit billed could mean thousands of dollars in monthly revenue. 

3. Treat Workers' Comp and Auto Injury Patients 

These cases are more complex but often much more lucrative. Workers' Comp and MVA claims often bring in higher reimbursements, especially when processed through systems like BOOST.  

BOOST helps clinics increase reimbursements by $53 per visit on average. For a Physical Therapist seeing just 10 workers’ comp patients a week, that’s $27,560 a year in added revenue - without a single extra hour of work! 

4. Add Consulting, Teaching, or Mentorship 

If you have years of experience, you can boost income by consulting for clinics, teaching CEU courses or mentoring younger therapists. These opportunities offer flexibility and open new revenue streams. 

5. Work in the Right Setting 

Outpatient clinics aren’t the only option. Home health, travel PT, and telehealth can sometimes offer higher pay with more flexibility, depending on your region and expertise.  

Home health and travel PT offer higher pay ranges: 

  • Home Health PT: ~$113,000–$140,000 with productivity incentives 

  • Outpatient Settings: Mean wage around $123,900 in many areas 

Evaluate salary potential, flexibility and long-term growth in every job opportunity. 

Get Started

Maximizing your income doesn’t mean working longer hours, it means getting paid fairly for the expertise you already have. 

Learn how BOOST increases reimbursements so you can earn more from the care you already provide.

How Do You Maximize Physical Therapy Reimbursement?

If your clinic is busy but your bank account doesn’t show it, it’s time to take a closer look at your reimbursements. 

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Many physical therapy practices unknowingly underbill - or get underpaid - for provided services. Whether it’s missed units, incorrect coding, or low-paying contracts, every dollar left behind impacts your bottom line. 

Here’s how your PT clinic can take control and start to maximize reimbursements without burning out your team or sacrificing patient care. 

1. Use the 8-Minute Rule to Its Full Potential 

Every minute matters. Don’t default to billing one or two units for every session. Use time-tracked notes to ensure you're billing the full number of units allowed based on the time spent providing skilled care. 

2. Use the Correct CPT Codes and Modifiers 

Using generic or default codes can cost your clinic. Evaluate how your team uses: 

  • Evaluation codes (97161–97163) 
  • Therapeutic activities (97530) 
  • Neuromuscular re-education (97112) 

Ensure modifiers (like -59) are used properly to distinguish services and avoid denials. 

3. Track Denials and Appeal Aggressively 

Don’t just write off denied claims. Track why they were denied, and appeal when appropriate. Denials are often caused by small errors, like missing documentation or mismatched diagnoses, that can be corrected. 

4. Audit Your Payer Mix and Contracts 

If you are in a contract with payers offering the lowest rates, it might be time to renegotiate or drop them. Run monthly reports to see which insurance contracts are helping or hurting your profitability. A small shift in your payer mix can have a major impact on overall income. 

5. BOOST Workers’ Comp and Auto Injury Claims 

Standard insurance rates are one thing, but if your clinic treats workers' comp or motor vehicle accident (MVA) patients, you could be earning significantly more. BOOST helps PT clinics increase revenue from these claims, averaging $53 more per visit, without disrupting current systems. 

BOOST works behind the scenes, so your in-house billing team keeps full control and gets a powerful partner to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

Your clinic deserves to get paid for the value you deliver. 

Let BOOST show you where you're leaving money behindYou can then fix it without adding more work to your day.

How Does Physical Therapy Work with Workers’ Comp?

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Treating workers’ comp patients is one thing. Getting paid for it is another.

Workers' compensation billing can feel like a maze. Every state has its own rules, documentation requirements and claim timelines. With the right process in place, PT clinics can get paid fairly for the care they provide. 

Here are five key steps to managing workers' comp claims successfully: 

1. Confirm the Injury Is Work-Related 

This step happens before treatment even begins. Always ask: “Was this injury work-related?” If this isn’t confirmed up front, the clinic might mistakenly bill the patient’s primary insurance, leading to denials and delayed care. 

2. Gather All Claim Information 

Once a work-related injury is confirmed, collect everything: 

  • Claim Number

  • Adjuster Name and Contact Info

  • Injury Details

  • Employer and Carrier 

  • Ensure The Approved Diagnosis Matches The Claim To Avoid Rejections

3. Get Written Treatment Authorization 

Don’t start treatment without it. Verbal approval is helpful, but written authorization is your protection. If more visits are needed later, contact the adjuster early to extend approval and avoid hitting a hard stop mid-treatment.

4. Track Visits and Submit Clean Claims 

Meticulously track approved visits, attach required documentation and confirm service dates match authorization. Inconsistencies are one of the top reasons for denied claims. 

Also, workers' comp patients don’t pay copays or deductibles. PT clinics must accept the approved reimbursement as full payment; no balance billing allowed.

Because insurance companies tend to use PPO, Network and Retroactive Discounts to lower your payments, hundreds of Physical Therapy clinics across the country BOOST their claims. Having your billing run claims through BOOST, you should get $53 more per claim on average. You also have the reassurance that you are getting the reimbursement you deserve, maximizing revenue.

 

5. Use the Right Forms and Know the Law

Ensure your team is using: 
  • First Report of Injury (at first visit) 
  • CMS-1500 form with detailed documentation

Follow HIPAA guidelines and don't bill the employer directly. Always consult your state’s workers’ comp regulations to stay compliant. 

Want to simplify all of this?

BOOST works with clinics to manage these exact details — ensuring proper documentation, authorization, and submission — so PTs get reimbursed faster and at higher rates. It’s not a billing replacement; it’s a partner that helps you get what you’ve already earned with no PPO, Network or Retroactive Discounts. boostmyclaims.com

How Can I Make More Money on Workers’ Comp?

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Let’s be honest — you didn’t open your clinic to chase reimbursements or deal with insurance red tape. But if you’re treating

workers' comp patients, you deserve to get paid for what your care is worth. 

Right now, many physical therapy clinics are leaving money on the table with workers’ comp. PPO, Retroactive and Network Discounts aren’t just annoying, they cut directly into your bottom line. 

The good news? You don’t need to see more patients or overhaul your systems to fix it. With the right approach, workers' comp cases can become one of your most profitable service lines.

Here are 5 practical strategies that help PT clinics increase workers' comp revenue — without adding to your team’s workload.

 

1. Be Strategic And focused

Workers’ comp can bring in higher reimbursement rates than standard insurance. The problem is, not every clinic is set up to handle them efficiently. Clinics that create a streamlined intake and billing process for these patients see faster payments and fewer denials. 

2. Code Accurately and bill the full value

Don’t underbill. If your Physical Therapists provide 45 minutes of skilled therapy, they should bill for it. The 8-minute rule allows for multiple units and each unit adds revenue. Also, make sure your team uses the right modifiers and evaluation codes to maximize reimbursements. 

3. Don't accept Discounts that don't apply 

Insurance companies like to maximize their profits by reducing payments on workers’ comp and auto claims. You're losing money if you accept less than your state’s fee schedule or contracted rate. Even if you have contracted rates, they can reduce your payments through PPO, Retroactive and Network Discounts. Some Physical Therapy clinics don't realize the discounts have been applied. Others know, but don't understand how to stop discounts from cutting into their payments.

That's why so many Physical Therapy owners have decided to BOOST their claims. They keep their current billing system, don't add any extra admin and end up with 2X the reimbursements they were getting. With $53 more on average per claim, they can use the extra revenue to provide even better care.  


4. Train Your Team on Intake and Authorization

The reimbursement process starts before the patient walks in the door. Train your front desk to ask the right questions: 

  • Was the injury work-related? 
  • Who is the adjuster or case manager? 
  • What’s the claim number and injury date? 
  • Getting proper authorization and documenting everything early avoids denied visits and delays. 

5. BOOST Your Workers' Comp Claims

Thousands of clinics across the country are getting $53 more per visit on average - just by using BOOST. It’s a processing method that works alongside your existing billing team and EMR, with no need to switch systems. BOOST manages the complex workers’ comp and auto injury claim processes that often get underpaid or denied. 

Don't do more Work to Make More - Work Smarter

Reach out to see how much more your clinic could earn on every workers’ comp visit, without changing your workflow. boostmyclaims.com