Happy holidays from NAHRI

In observance of the holidays, the NAHRI office is closed December 24–January 1 and will reopen Monday, January 4. This week, Revenue Integrity Insider is hitting pause and taking a moment to reflect.

There’s no hyperbole in saying 2020 has been a year like none other. We’ve faced incredible challenges and tragedies and much about the future is uncertain. Although there’s hope on the horizon, we’re not there yet—and hospitals in particular will be navigating the lingering effects for some time. As we approach the new year, it’s time to consider what we’ve accomplished this year.

So, what has NAHRI done in the past twelve months?

We hosted our first ever totally virtual, multi-day educational event. Although it wasn’t possible for us to gather in person in 2020, we didn’t let that stand in the way of providing the education revenue integrity professionals depend on with Revenue Integrity and Reimbursement Strategies: A NAHRI Virtual Event. During this three-day event, expert speakers presented on core revenue integrity topics that were more vital than ever: chargemaster maintenance, the financial impact of CMS’ final and proposed payment system rules and COVID-19 interim final rules, price transparency, and more. An incredible amount of work went into this event and, according to attendees, it paid off. NAHRI will be using the lessons learned from this event to develop future virtual events, including Mastering Utilization Review and Patient Status: A NAHRI Virtual Event, and educational offerings. We also urge you to check out the Critical Access Hospital and Rural Health Clinics Reimbursement Virtual Symposium.

We grew our network of NAHRI Local Chapters. Local chapters are a huge perk of any professional association and NAHRI is no exception. Although Medicare’s billing and reimbursement rules apply nationally, others, such as Medicaid’s, don’t. To address these regional and local issues, revenue integrity professionals rely on their local networks—and NAHRI Local Chapters help fill that need. If you haven’t already joined a Local Chapter, visit our Local Chapter page to find one near you (or, if there isn’t Local Chapter near you, consider contacting us to start one). Once you’ve joined, get in touch with your Local Chapter leaders for introductions and to share your region-specific struggles, questions, and wins.

We brought great minds together in the NAHRI Leadership Council. Launched in September 2020, the NAHRI Leadership Council keeps revenue integrity leaders on the cutting edge of revenue integrity thought leadership and strategy. Through focused research reports, customized analysis, and peer-to-peer networking, the Council acts as a sounding board for revenue integrity leaders who seek to stay up to date with current trends in hospital reimbursement while blazing new paths for an ever-evolving industry. If the Council sounds like a good fit for you, consider applying and meet the new year with a virtual team of revenue integrity innovators.

Whether your accomplishments have been big or small this year, take some time to feel proud of them. We hope you can find a moment to catch your breath and recharge before the new year begins. From all of us at NAHRI, happy holidays!