HCM Marketplace

AUDIOCONFERENCE ON CD OR AUDIO ON-DEMAND

Sponsored by Patient Access Resource Center

presented on April 23, 2008

Accurate registration data is a key driver of a successful revenue cycle. These crucial first steps in the billing process set the tone for a smooth revenue cycle process, resulting in proper reimbursement. In addition, looming CMS benchmark standards put an even greater emphasis on “getting it right the first time.”

Hospitals have begun to implement processes to check registration accuracy. The most important element of any method is that the registration accuracy program be proactive—such as identifying potential problems ahead of time so that appropriate management action can be taken—as opposed to reactive, where the issues are not identified after a crisis occurs. The three Quality Assurance processes are:

• Manual - A portion of registrations are reviewed without software and errors are tracked manually to provide a scorecard for each staff member
• Automated - A software program is used to review for errors and provide a scorecard as in the manual approach
• Outsourced - An external third-party performs the Quality Assurance process as an extension of the facility's resources

Determine which registration method is right for your facility

Listen to HCPro's 90-minute audioconference Registration Accuracy: Three Case Studies of Success. Michael S. Friedberg, FACHE, CHAM of Apollo Health Street introduces successful examples of each of the registration process methods. Patient access professionals relate their experiences in utilizing manual, automated, and outsourced registration. The speakers detail the specific mechanics of how each process works, how they got started, how to demonstrate return on investment to management, the cost of implementation as well as specific results of their program.

Registration accuracy is not only good for the financial side of your hospital, but it can also decrease access staff turnover, improve patient safety and quality, and heighten the reputation of your department among senior management.

At the end of this audioconference, you will be able to:

• Identify the advantages of the three registration processes
• Increase registration accuracy rates within your patient access department
• Utilize reporting tools to analyze your accuracy rates and evaluate your employees
• Illustrate to senior management the return on investment of each method
• Identify the costs associated with each method

AGENDA

• Technical aspects of registration accuracy
• Common problems
• Why registration accuracy should be tracked
• Active methods: Manual, Automated, Outsourced
• Overall goal for monitoring staff competency
• Case studies
• Manual method: Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia, SC
• Uses the program to help gauge employees' effectiveness and report to upper management how they are solving problems
• Automated method: Baptist Health System in Alabama, Birmingham, AL
• Registration error kickouts per facility drop from 50-100/week to less than 10/week
• Increase of first pass clean claims
• Implementation improves accuracy rate from 88% to 98-99%
• Outsource method: Saint Anthony's Health Center, Alton, IL
• External third-party: Apollo Health Street
• 100% of claims reviewed
• Accuracy rate improves to 98%
• Decreased denials, improved cash flow
• Summary and key points to remember
• Q&A

BONUS TOOLS

In addition to the expertise and advice presented during this audioconference, you'll also receive a slide presentation of the program materials and:

• Regular shift reports generated by Baptist Health System's automated system
• Sample documents illustrating automatic warnings generated when a potential error may occur
• Sample template spreadsheets used to track registration with off-shore staff
• Sample reports from the various programs

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Michael S. Friedberg, FACHE, CHAM, Director, Patient Access Services, Apollo Health Street. Friedberg is a recognized national expert on Patient Access and is a strong advocate for quality assurance and staff monitoring.

Betty McCulley, CHAM, Liaison for the Consolidated Business Office and Patient Access, Baptist Health System. In her current position, McCulley's primary responsibilities involve training, education and quality assurance as they relate to the revenue cycle.

Joann E. Mills, Patient Access, Saint Anthony's Health Center. A veteran of more than 20 years in patient access, Mills has been responsible for the creation and implementation of both insurance verification and centralized scheduling.

Charlene B. Cathcart, CHAM, Patient Access, Palmetto Health Richland. Cathcart has more than 20 years experience in Patient Access Services and is responsible for directing the financial operations in patient registration, insurance verification and financial counseling.

WHO SHOULD LISTEN?

Employees in large physician practices and hospitals, including the following titles and departments:

• Patient access director/manager
• Business office director/manager
• CFO, CEO
• Finance director
• Patient financial services manager/staff
• Revenue cycle manager/staff

PROGRAM MATERIALS:

Program materials are provided with PDF links.

AUDIO ON-DEMAND

In addition to the regular purchase options for HCPro audioconferences, we are pleased to offer another option, an audio on-demand. Audio on-demand allows you to download the program and play it back at your convenience through your computer or MP3 player. Purchase a CD or audio on-demand of the program and listen when you can. It's also a perfect training tool for new staff or as a refresher for veteran staff.

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