Michael Lock | The Practice Layer

Oliver Buchannon

Michael Lock

Michael Lock is Senior Product Marketing Manager at Clarity RCM, where he turns dermatology revenue data into profit levers.

One physician. 90 days. $325K you'll never bill.

Feb 23, 2026

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8 min read

One physician. 90 days. $325K you'll never bill.

Every new physician hire comes with a hidden countdown. The gap between their start date and payer enrollment isn't just an inconvenience. It's a six-figure revenue leak that most practices don't calculate until it's too late. This week we break down the real math behind credentialing delays and what the smartest practices are doing 4-6 months before day one.

That surcharge might cost more than it saves

Feb 16, 2026

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9 min read

That surcharge might cost more than it saves

This week on the Practice Layer, The $9 fee that costs you $15,000, iPLEDGE loosens up, AI scribes in derm, and Scripps' MA exit pays off.

Collections look fine. These 4 metrics say otherwise.

Feb 9, 2026

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8 min read

Collections look fine. These 4 metrics say otherwise.

This week on the Practice Layer, BCBS Michigan cuts modifier 25 payments in half, CMS finally comes for MA overpayments, and the 4 upstream metrics that actually predict your cash flow.

The OIG is watching your Modifier 25. Here's what they found

Feb 2, 2026

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9 min read

The OIG is watching your Modifier 25. Here's what they found

This week on the Practice Layer, The OIG reviewed modifier 25 claims and found 90% compliance. Sounds like a win. It's not. We break down what $62.9M in errors means for your practice, why BCBSM is cutting reimbursement 50%, and the self-audit you should run today.

From $2,000 to $127: skin subs just collapsed

Jan 26, 2026

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10 min read

From $2,000 to $127: skin subs just collapsed

This week on the Practice Layer, we're unpacking the biggest reimbursement story in dermatology: skin substitute payments just collapsed from $2,000 to $127 per square centimeter. Plus, prior auth reform is picking up steam in Missouri and beyond, False Claims settlements hit a record $6.8 billion, and why basic automation is outperforming generative AI.

The 2026 growth playbook for independent derm

Jan 19, 2026

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10 min read

The 2026 growth playbook for independent derm

This week on The Practice Layer: prior auth reforms, a $556M Medicare fraud settlement, and why half of New Yorkers can't afford a $1K bill. Plus: the growth math most practices get wrong.

January is the most misunderstood month in the revenue cycle

Jan 12, 2026

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6 min read

January is the most misunderstood month in the revenue cycle

This week on the Practice Layer, we look at why January insurance payments often drop to zero and how deductibles quietly shift more revenue responsibility to patients.

How new CMS rules are matching patient demand

Jan 5, 2026

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6 min read

How new CMS rules are matching patient demand

This week on the Practice Layer, we look at how the 2026 CMS fee schedule and shifting patient expectations are reinforcing a care model built around continuity, in-person care, and long-term relationships.

A note to close out the year

Dec 29, 2025

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4 min read

A note to close out the year

This week on the Practice Layer, we take a step back to reflect on 2025 before turning the page.

What 2025 made clear about running a practice

Dec 22, 2025

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5 min read

What 2025 made clear about running a practice

This week on the Practice Layer, we reflect on what this year revealed about running a practice, including how teams protected margin and used technology more deliberately.

2026 coding changes are here. Is your practice ready?

Nov 17, 2025

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7 min read

2026 coding changes are here. Is your practice ready?

This week on The Practice Layer, we break down the 2026 coding updates, what they mean for dermatology, and how to get your systems ready before January.

Two locations, one bottom line

Nov 10, 2025

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8 min read

Two locations, one bottom line

This week on the Practice Layer, we’re breaking down what it really takes to open a second location without losing margin.

The Skin Sub Compliance Crackdown Continues

Nov 3, 2025

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11 min read

The Skin Sub Compliance Crackdown Continues

This week on the Practice Layer, OIG is zeroing in on skin substitutes after a 640% spending spike, putting dermatology in the crosshairs. We unpack what triggered the crackdown, how Medicare’s 2026 rule changes reshape reimbursement, and the four compliance moves to make before auditors call.

Audit-Proof Your Derm Comp Plan

Oct 27, 2025

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7 min read

Audit-Proof Your Derm Comp Plan

This week on The Practice Layer: audits are tightening, coverage for new drugs lags, AI is scaling in claims and eligibility, CMS lifted its telehealth hold, Congress pokes step therapy, and our deep dive fixes risky comp plans.

Government Shutdown Edition

Oct 20, 2025

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14 min read

Government Shutdown Edition

This week on The Practice Layer, Government shutdown edition: what pauses, what still pays, and the fast moves to protect cash and compliance.

The Dermatologist’s Guide to In-Office Product Sales

Oct 13, 2025

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6 min read

The Dermatologist’s Guide to In-Office Product Sales

This week on The Practice Layer, California trims repeat prior auths, site-neutral pay gains steam, HOPD prices outpace ASCs, AI gets guardrails, and our deep dive shows how to sell skincare ethically without looking salesy.

Medicare Telehealth Just Ended. Now What?

Oct 6, 2025

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11 min read

Medicare Telehealth Just Ended. Now What?

This week on the Practice Layer, Medicare’s pandemic telehealth flexibilities ended Oct 1... we map what changed, who still qualifies, and six fixes to stop denials this week.

Should you open an ASC?

Sep 29, 2025

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8 min read

Should you open an ASC?

This week on The Practice Layer, AI is clearing phone queues, payers want real-time claims, and our deep dive shows how to open an ASC without bleeding margin.

Why patient no-shows are skyrocketing (and what to do about it)

Sep 22, 2025

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8 min read

Why patient no-shows are skyrocketing (and what to do about it)

No-shows are creeping up (but they’re fixable), tougher balance-billing enforcement, a push to curb insurer clinic ownership, employers shifting to transparent PBMs, and Blues launching Stellarus to wire AI into plans.

Can’t Find Your Contracts? Payers Are Counting On It

Sep 15, 2025

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8 min read

Can’t Find Your Contracts? Payers Are Counting On It

This week on the Practice Layer, FTC warns on noncompetes, Aetna/Optum settle over “dummy codes,” benefits costs keep climbing, AMA tees up 2026 CPT adds, and a deep dive into payer contracts: how to recover them, centralize rates, and stop flying blind.

Why Your Repair Claims Aren’t Getting Paid

Sep 8, 2025

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8 min read

Why Your Repair Claims Aren’t Getting Paid

This week on the Practice Layer: budget for a 6.5% benefits jump, UHC’s gold card expands, MA audits tighten, Cigna shifts specialty pharmacy, Neon raises $6M, plus a repair-coding deep dive to curb denials.

Social media tips that actually move the needle for derm

Sep 1, 2025

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10 min read

Social media tips that actually move the needle for derm

This week on the Practice Layer: Aetna widens claims reviews, NCQA convenes on AI risk, insurer outlook turns negative, Hopkins splits with UHC, and we ship a derm social playbook that'll move the needle for your practice.

The Dermatologist’s Guide to a Defensible Valuation

Aug 25, 2025

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11 min read

The Dermatologist’s Guide to a Defensible Valuation

This week on The Practice Layer: the new price transparency bill, Epic AI, and how to sell smart.

The Downcoding Playbook for Dermatology

Aug 18, 2025

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12 min read

The Downcoding Playbook for Dermatology

This week on The Practice Layer: AI-powered prior auth, EHR upgrades, telederm gains... plus the strategy to beat payer level cuts.

Incident-To or Incident-Oops?

Aug 11, 2025

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10 min read

Incident-To or Incident-Oops?

This week on The Practice Layer: $847k claw-back at Forefront Dermatology, AI-powered RCM wins, new skin-cell graft CPT codes, and a deep dive into the incident-to billing minefield.