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Many patients misled on coverage, but patient access staff can help

Patient access employees probably believe that insurance companies have an obligation to fully inform consumers about the coverage they're getting. Unfortunately, this belief doesn't always translate into reality.

You should closely watch revenue cycle metrics

To determine if patient access processes for financial counseling are getting good results, Jen Nichols, senior director of revenue cycle operations at Kaleida Health in Buffalo, NY, keeps a close eye on these metrics.

Finances are a top priority for access

Unfortunately, healthcare costs are often the first thing that comes to mind when someone gets sick, says Elizabeth H. Broadway, CHAM, director of patient access and business services at Ochsner Health Systems Baton Rouge (LA) Region.

Staff must be prepared before collecting copays

Reduced collection cost and better patient satisfaction were the two major benefits of collecting copays at the time of service that were identified by patient access leaders at Cooper University Health System in Camden, NJ.

Stop 'no auths' due to changed procedures

When hospital VIPs at Lourdes Health System in Camden, NJ, expressed concern over the fact there were so many claims denials for no authorization, Joan Braveman, corporate director of patient access, asked for data. She began studying the "no auth" denials.

More evidence of Medicaid 'churn'

Patient access employees often help patients determine eligibility for Medicaid coverage, which in many cases means lost revenue is prevented. However, patients don't always keep the coverage they obtain, even if they remain eligible.

NAHAM joins social media sites

Taking on the latest form of social media, the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) has announced the arrival of Twitter and YouTube to its media landscape.

Guidelines updated for discharge planning

Continuing to emphasize the importance of discharge planning and preventing unnecessary readmissions, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a revised set of Discharge Planning Interpretive Guidelines that surveyors will use to assess a hospital's compliance with Medicare's Conditions of Participation.

Hospital Access Managment Supplement: HIPPA Regulatory Alert

Compliance accountability chains put you at risk and can complicate contract negotiations; Prepare now for coming HIPAA security audits; Advocate sued over large data breach; Agencies release model notices of privacy practices

Hospital Access Management – November 1, 2013

November 1, 2013