EHR and revenue cycle management integration can be complex and disruptive to healthcare providers, however organizations that address revenue cycle as part of their EHR workflow can maintain positive financial performance.
Carmen Sessoms, associate vice president of product management at RelayHealth Financial, outlined five key strategies for providers to optimize revenue cycle during an EHR transition.
1. Make sure RCM has a seat at the table. When choosing an EHR vendor, it is important providers consult RCM leaders in the process to ensure ongoing revenue cycle capabilities are continually met.
2. Include RCM as a priority. Health system management should determine how revenue cycle processes will be impacted by changing EHR technology before implementation. Specifically, providers should know how new vendor solutions will affect claims management workflow, utilization by staff and speed of payment processes.
3. Identify a revenue cycle project manager during transition. Having a revenue cycle project manager is essential, as it is vital providers establish regular communication with RCM partners to determine which technology will be used to manage each part of the revenue cycle.
4. Keep track of key performance indicators. During an EHR transition, it is important health system and hospital leaders consistently evaluate the health of claims processes at each step of the revenue cycle.
5. Lean on RCM partners for best practices. RCM partners should work alongside the EHR vendor to ensure minimal disruption to provider cash flow.