Note from the speaker: Networking and engagement to help shape your revenue integrity department

By Diane Weiss CPC, CPB, CCP

The National Association of Healthcare Revenue Integrity’s (NAHRI) 2018 Revenue Integrity Symposium is just around the corner, and there’s lots in store for those who are attending. The Revenue Integrity Symposium and will be held October 16–17 at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park (Phoenix), Arizona. Pre- and post-conference options are available. This will be my first visit to Phoenix, and I’m looking forward to the entire trip!

The Revenue Integrity Symposium is truly one of the first and most comprehensive revenue integrity programs available in the country. Anyone with responsibilities in any revenue cycle related function or process, should consider attending.

I am looking forward to connecting with other professionals engaged in revenue integrity responsibilities. Revenue integrity is a fairly new division for my organization, as we have just established a separate set of responsibilities from that of our revenue cycle team. I’m excited about the opportunity to interact with others who have similar roles and responsibilities.

There are several sessions that I’m especially looking forward to as we continue to shape our own revenue integrity plan. I’ll be front and center attending the “The Revenue Integrity Workplan: Collaboration, Communication, Comprehension” session presented by Marilyn Hart Niedzwiecki, MBA, CPA, RN, CPC, COC, CIRCC, on Tuesday, October 16, at 1:45 p.m. I’m also excited about attending the “Revenue Integrity and the CDM: The Road to Success” session by Sarah L. Goodman, MBA, CHCAF, COC, CCP, FCS, and Kay Larsen, CRCR, on Tuesday, October 16, at 11 a.m.

In addition to the incredible networking opportunities with peers and great selection of sessions, I’m pleased to present one of those sessions on Wednesday, October 17, at 1:45 p.m. The session I’m presenting is:

• “Targeted Probe and Educate Audits and Other CMS Initiatives”
  • CMS seems to be retooling its audit programs and medical review initiatives. This presentation will review the Targeted Probe and Education initiative as well as other CMS/MAC audits. During this presentation you will learn how to understand the scope of an audit, what documentation is required, the method for replying, and how to appeal if there are unfavorable findings.

In today’s healthcare landscape, we know that audits occur daily. They’re practically expected. No longer do we say, “if we get audited,” but rather, “when we get audited,” which is why understanding CMS’s Targeted Probe and Education medical review audit program is so important. When you really look at how CMS has structured this medical review program, there are some positive aspects about it.

See you there!

Editor’s note: Diane Weiss, CPC, CPB, CCP, is the vice president, reimbursement, for RestorixHealth in Metairie, Louisiana. Weiss joined RestorixHealth in Metairie, Louisiana, in June 2011, which facilitated the formation of the New Orleans office revenue cycle team. Weiss is a NAHRI Advisory Board member.

For additional information, listen to a recording of our Revenue Integrity Symposium Demo and view the corresponding slides. Revenue integrity professionals wishing to earn support from program administrators to attend the 2018 Revenue Integrity Symposium may adapt our justification letter proposal.