Billing Specialist Services Inc.: The Business Behind Better Care
From Paperwork to Patient Care: A Local Founder Making Healthcare Work Better
When Michelle Riportella talks about medical billing, she doesn’t start with numbers or paperwork. She starts with people.
With more than 30 years of experience in medical billing, business administration and practice management, Michelle has spent her career behind the scenes of healthcare: Working in doctors’ offices, hospitals and mental health private practices. It’s there that she saw firsthand how overwhelming administrative work can be, especially for clinicians who simply want to focus on their patients.
Seeing a Problem – and Deciding to Fix It
That insight led Michelle to found Billing Specialist Services, Inc. (BSS) in 2010. Based in Lake in the Hills, BSS was built with a clear purpose: To lift the burden of billing and insurance paperwork off providers’ shoulders so they can do what they do best: Care for people.
“I saw providers being crushed by paperwork,” Riportella said. “It was taking time away from patients and that never sat right with me.”
Education, Experience & a Personal Approach
Michelle brings both experience and education to her work, having completed extensive business, communication, and management coursework at Northeastern Illinois University, Harper College and McHenry County College. But just as important as her credentials is her approach. Clients often describe her as thorough, efficient and deeply invested in doing things the right way.
“Our philosophy is simple & personal: Clinicians provide professional, private and caring services to their patients. I, in turn, treat each of my clients with the same respect.”
Specialized Support for Mental Health Providers
Today, Billing Specialist Services specializes in medical billing for the mental health field, working closely with psychologists, social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists, licensed clinical professional counselors, psychiatrists and TMS providers. The company recently opened up to ABA therapists, PT, OT and SLP therapists.
The company offers full-cycle revenue management: From benefits verification and electronic claims submission to payment posting and appeals – so providers don’t have to chase down unpaid claims or decipher complex insurance rules.
More Than Billing: A True Practice Partner
BSS also assists with credentialing and contracting, helping practices navigate insurance panel applications, CAQH profiles, and required identifiers like EINs and NPIs. Monthly reporting, patient invoicing and accounts receivables round out the services, giving clients a clear picture of their practice’s financial health.
Trusted Local Business
Over the years, BSS has grown into a trusted partner for practices across the region. The company is an A+ BBB–accredited business and is consistently praised by therapists for its professionalism and deep understanding of mental health insurance benefits.
With a team of up to 30 Contractors,, BSS remains large enough to handle complex needs while staying small enough to provide personal, responsive service.
For Michelle, success isn’t measured only in clean claims or balanced books – it’s knowing that clinicians can end their day focused on patient progress, not paperwork.
For a personal touch to your practice, contact Billing Specialist Services Inc.:
📍 Lake in the Hills, IL
📞 224-523-3728
✉️ michelle@billingmr.com