2021 Revenue Integrity Symposium kicks off with expert advice on hot topics and collaborative discussions

Speakers and registrants shared tips and insights into revenue integrity hot topics on day one of the 2021 Revenue Integrity Symposium, held virtually August 17–18. The event features two tracks and 16 sessions lead by recognized revenue integrity experts. Each day wraps up with a live Q&A session with that day’s speakers, answering registrants’ questions submitted throughout the day and live. Registrants also have the opportunity to engage in group and one-on-one networking through discussion threads, virtual meetings, and direct messages.

Day one sessions covered a range of revenue integrity topics, from chargemaster maintenance to denials management. Speakers discussed common pain points, current challenges, and common-sense solutions.

Interdepartmental collaboration was a common theme. Revenue integrity professionals are used to working closely with peers in other departments, particularly clinical and coding, but it’s critical to reach out to colleagues in payer contracting, said Johnny Pezzuto, vice president, revenue integrity program at R1 RCM. during the day one session “Four Key Components to Revenue Integrity Success.”

For example, revenue integrity departments tasked with working edits could benefit from connecting with payer contracting staff to hone their focus. A disconnect between these departments may mean that although revenue integrity staff are doing a great job working edits, flagging missing charges, and tracking denials, they don’t have the full picture when it comes to the net revenue associated with edits, Pezzuto said. Revenue integrity staff may be pouring time into working what are ultimately low-value edits when a more strategic focus, informed by the nuances of payer contracts, could yield a greater return.

Even as revenue integrity expands its reach, the chargemaster remains central to revenue integrity efforts. During the day one session “In the Trenches with the Chargemaster and Facility Charge Capture,” NAHRI Advisory Board members Sarah L. Goodman, MBA, CHCAF, COC, CCP, FCS, CHRI, president/CEO and principal consultant for SLG, Inc., and Kay Larsen, CRCR, revenue integrity specialist at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, shared tips on chargemaster maintenance, charge capture strategies, and best-practices for managing COVID-19-related chargemaster updates.

A meticulously maintained chargemaster is a must for revenue integrity, Larsen said. The effort will pay dividends and will make other revenue integrity functions easier.

“Your chargemaster should be a work of art,” Larsen said. “It should make your life easier rather than harder.”

The ended with a live Q&A session with that day’s speakers that sparked in-depth discussions on managing commercial payer denials, charging and charge capture, and more.