Insurance Defense Billing Guidelines: Rules That Get Cut
Every carrier publishes its own guidelines, and the client's version always wins. But most share the same core rules. Here they are, with how LedesReady checks each one.
| Typical rule | What reviewers do | LedesReady check |
|---|---|---|
| Bill in 0.1-hour increments | Reduce entries that aren't multiples of 0.1 | Billing increment (0.1, 0.25 or 0.05) |
| No block billing | Cut the whole entry or a percentage | Flags entries with several tasks |
| Specific descriptions | Cut "review file", "attention to" | Flags vague and very short narratives |
| No clerical or administrative work | Disallow scheduling, filing, copying | Flags clerical wording |
| Limited internal conferences | Pay one attendee or none | Flags A105 and "conference with associate" |
| Approved rates per timekeeper class | Reduce to the cap | Rate caps per PT/AS/OC/LA/OT (Pro) |
| Reasonable daily hours | Question days over 8–10 hours | Daily hours per timekeeper |
| Copy charges capped (e.g. $0.10–$0.25/page) | Reduce to the cap | Copy cost per page |
| Overhead not billable (fax, phone, word processing, meals) | Disallow | Flags E103, E104, E105, E111 |
| Travel billed at reduced rates or not at all | Reduce | Flags travel entries for a second look |