Memphis, Tenn.-based Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is emerging from a systemwide Epic integration that went live in October 2024, and is starting to see measurable gains across revenue cycle performance and overall efficiency.
“[Epic] has been transformational for us,” John Mallia, interim CFO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, said during a Becker’s CFO+Revenue Cycle Podcast episode. “We’ve also locked in our non-Epic cost to collect and are accelerating full revenue cycle performance through our partnership with Ensemble Health Partners.”
The partnership, which launched earlier this year, has helped to not only boost yield and accelerate cash flow, but to drive co-innovation. Methodist Le Bonheur expects automation and workflow improvements to strengthen cash performance while reducing friction for patients and staff.
The transformation pace has been rapid, as Methodist Le Bonheur also implemented Workday in 2024.
“There was a lot of change very quickly,” Mr. Mallia said. “The organization is really … understanding all of the benefits that we are able to get from it. All of the things we are able to see that we hadn’t seen before and the reduction in the amount of manual work and interfaces … we’re hitting our stride in a lot of key points right now.”
While operational momentum is building, broader industry uncertainty remains. With the possibility of reduced ACA exchange subsidies, potential cuts to directed payments and ongoing questions around national policy, like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Methodist Le Bonheur is developing a long-term financial forecast to prepare for multiple scenarios.
This environment makes leadership alignment essential. Mr. Mallia said “constant communication” with system President and CEO Michael Ugwueke has kept the organization grounded and adaptable through the shifting policy landscape.
“We spend a lot of time telling our boards and external stakeholders about what happened historically, but I think it’s important to say, ‘Hey, this is what we’re anticipating going forward. These are the headwinds that we are facing,'” he said. “It’s our responsibility to outline all of the knowns and give the best guidance we can about the unknowns.”
As interim CFO, Mr. Mallia said he brings another dimension: an external, national perspective while providing internal steadiness amid transition.
“Sometimes organizations need that outsider, independent view,” he said. “That’s what we bring to the table.”
