Best practices for chargemaster management
Editor’s note: Peggi Ann Amstutz, MBA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC-I, CRCR, Sarah L. Goodman, MBA, CHCAF, COC, CHRI, CCP, FCS, and Kay Larsen, CHRI, will present “Managing Your CDM: Start Now to Have the Best New Year Ever!” on day one of the 2025 Revenue Integrity Symposium (RIS), which will take place September 25–26 in Westminster, Colorado. Amstutz is a revenue integrity advisor, Panacea Healthcare Solutions, St. Paul, Minnesota. Goodman is president/CEO, SLG, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, and Larsen is a senior revenue integrity charge assurance associate, Adventist Health Glendale, Glendale, California. Use NAHRI’s justification letter template as a guide to gain your organization’s support for attending. Learn more about the benefits of attending 2025 RIS by downloading the digital brochure and the 2025 RIS Conference 101 guide.
Q: In what ways does your session challenge attendees to think outside the box?
Goodman: I believe our panel session’s targeted focus on the numerous revenue integrity strategies for different provider types—as we know one size does not fit all— will inspire attendees to think outside the box and be receptive to getting an early start on managing changes for the upcoming year. We will tackle the topic of CDM management from varied perspectives; for example, Peggi Ann Amstutz will touch upon CAH, ASC, and professional providers, and Kay Larsen and I will address OPPS facilities—while employing a team approach where possible.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge in revenue integrity and/or revenue cycle right now? How does your session help tackle this?
Amstutz: At this exact moment, another challenge is getting current data from the CMS website. In our collaborative presentation, we will discuss where to find such data, and where it may have been located in the past.
Goodman and Larsen: Undoubtedly, one ongoing challenge is lack of communication within the facility and with external entities. During our unique, interactive session, our panel of experts will provide insight into communicating more effectively and eliminating potential roadblocks.
Q: What’s one of the key pieces of information you would like people to take away from your session?
Amstutz: One of the key takeaways is the need to include clinical revenue-producing departments in the day-to-day management of the CDM. By learning from each other, together we can be successful.
Goodman: Another is that no one can operate in a silo. Collaboration is key not only to compliant charge capture, but also to mitigating risk in terms of denials and revenue leakage for the facility or provider.
Q: What are you most excited about for this year’s conference?
Amstutz: As my first time speaking at RIS, I am excited to present alongside Sarah L. Goodman and Kay Larsen on the topic of CDM management! Everyone has a rich background, and learning from others is what helps us all become better professionals.
Larsen: I agree! I learn so much from networking and presentations. Another benefit is the validation I receive. I work in the trenches and don’t always get timely or pertinent feedback.
Goodman: Each year at conference, I look forward to catching up with colleagues and meeting new people as well as expanding my horizons in the field of revenue integrity, and this year is no exception. I am so happy that Peggi Ann Amstutz has joined our panel this year and that we will all be enjoying the beauty of the Colorado mountains and sampling the local cuisine. I am definitely a foodie as you may know!
Q: What's a great piece of advice you've received regarding revenue integrity and/or revenue cycle? Or what advice do you like to give people about revenue integrity and/or revenue cycle?
Amstutz: A piece of advice I’d like to share is “trust—but verify!” Asking a question without context, receiving an answer, again without the context, can lead to disaster. Remember, different provider types have different rules and the answer you get may not be applicable in your scenario.
Larsen: My motto is “be curious.” Don’t let trouble find you; go look for it. Get those claims out the door clean the first time.