Patients are becoming a major payer group. Increased focus on patient financial services will go a long way to improve the revenue cycle.
Theresa Brandon, Managing Director, Novia Strategies: With the increased use of sophisticated technology in patient access areas, many organizations have set high goals (e.g., 99 percent) for accuracy for their pre-registration and registration staff. Moving a poor or even moderately performing department to a standard of excellence is best achieved by setting incremental goals and reasonable timelines for achievement.
Engage your staff in development of solutions. Apply improvement methodologies such as lean or plan-do-check-act learning cycles in focused, short-term projects with finite objectives and timetables. Recognize and reward team members to keep them encouraged along the path to improved accuracy.
If you would like to share your RCM best practices, please email Carrie Pallardy at cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com to be featured in the "RCM tip of the day" series.