Hospitals and health systems implementing a new revenue cycle patient accounting system must complete extensive planning and preparation.
Aaron Wall, senior healthcare consultant at Hayes Management Consulting: Twelve to 18 months before go-live on a new revenue cycle patient accounting system, organizations gather data for build and testing. Analysis includes cost centers, locations, reports, charge edits, claim edits and claim form logic that will be replicated in the future system. As the initial collection is complete, how will your organization communicate system changes and testing criteria to the responsible team?
It is important that a plan be in place to ensure modifications to the existing system are added to the build and test scenarios for the new system. Failure to communicate and test changes effectively could have a significant impact on your revenue. Some organizations maintain a build and testing tracker for modifications. Develop a method to capture changes, additions or tweaks and related testing scenarios to ensure consistent revenue stream after go-live.
To learn more about bringing on a new revenue cycle patient accounting system, access this story from Becker's Hospital Review.
If you would like to share your RCM best practices, please email Kelly Gooch at kgooch@beckershealthcare.com to be featured in the "RCM tip of the day" series.