Nearterm Blog
Should Hospitals Leverage Outsourced Coding or Keep It Internal?
Hospitals have adapted many different coding models. Most are designed around contributing factors that differ from one facility to the next. However, there are three models that arguably prevail. The following is a summary of each; MODEL I-INTERNAL All coding functions are managed and performed by internal staff/employees. The function is generally housed at the…
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Hospital Classification: A New Normal For Financial, IT and RCM Professionals
Hospitals have been and still are classified in various ways, depending on the purpose of the hospital classification and how it is to be used. Examples include ownership, bed capacity, service capacity, specialty, teaching, acute care, critical access, location, research and there are many others. A “new normal” classification methodology has emerged and it is…
Read MoreRevenue Cycle Management In 1951: It Used to be a Lot Easier…Or Was It?
The above image is an actual hospital bill and accompanying explanation of charges used in 1951. Just think of the things that we didn’t have to manage back then. A short list might include coding, claim edits, massive denials, contract payment compliance, Medicare/Medicaid (both started in 1965), managed care contracts, HIPPA regulations, “patient-friendly” billing initiatives,…
Read MoreThe Characteristics of Leaders and Successful People
I don’t know about you but I am growing immune to the voluminous “LISTS” I see in social media about leadership and success. LinkedIn, social media forums such as Facebook, and blogs are recently inundated with posts about leaders, leadership and successful people. For example, just this year alone 167 Habits, 340 Behaviors, 62 Graphic…
Read MorePygmalion In Revenue Cycle Leadership
The Pygmalion Effect can be described as the phenomenon whereby higher expectations lead to an increase in performance. Much has been written about the Pygmalion Effect. The concept is controversial. However, like most controversial concepts, there are elements of validity that can be applied successfully in the workplace and particularly in Revenue Cycle Management. Consideration…
Read MoreHow Many Revenue Cycle FTES Do You Need?
Revenue cycle staffing patterns and ratios are all over the map among provider organizations. This makes sense when you consider that there are variables like technology, volume, patient type, payor mix, skillset, organization structure, mission and management practices. Hospitals often rely on benchmarks in conjunction with staffing decisions. Benchmarks do very little to recognize these…
Read MoreThe Rise of the Agile Workforce
Long gone are the days when people work the same job until retirement. Today, the workforce has transformed, and more and more people are choosing to be “agile” workers — that is, taking on jobs on a project-by-project basis. This rise in the agile workforce means that people have the opportunity to work for a…
Read MoreDoes Your Revenue Cycle Team Approach Billing and Collection Efficacy the Same Way They Approach Their Paychecks? Why Not?
I expect that if one of your employees’ paychecks were delayed or underpaid, they would be resolute about getting the problem resolved right away. When inquiring about the problem, they probably would not be accepting of “it is in process” or “we did not get your time report” or how about “please leave a message…
Read MoreMedical Coding Managed Services
Do you have a medical coding backlog? Are you behind on your coding audits? Need a Coding Audit Program? Never fear, Nearterm is here! We help healthcare organizations meet their coding and coding audit needs as part of our overall 360 RCM Managed Services. Our national client base includes hospitals, clinics and other provider types.…
Read MorePatient Access Training Designed to Connect “Front End” Data Collection and Data Entry Directly to UB 04 Form Locators and Registration Screens Can Be An Effective Way To Improve Cash Flow and Denial Rate
People are more careful about their work when they understand the importance of what they are doing and how it impacts the organization. Recent findings suggest that this is particularly true for millennials, but it certainly applies to the broader work force as well. Here is one way to help access associates better understand their…
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