Note from the speaker: Collaboration, communication, comprehension

By Marilyn Hart Niedzwiecki, MBA, CPA, RN, CPC, COC, CIRCC

NAHRI’s Revenue Integrity Symposium (RIS) will take place this year October 16–17 at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield, Arizona, outside Phoenix. I think the RIS is a great way to stay up to date on new rules and regulations. It also allows for great networking. We all have complex positions that are not easily learned, and it helps to discuss with other professionals.

I am looking forward to the conference as it is filled with information and best practices that are very useful to all of us. Some must attend sessions for me include: “CMS' Proposed Changes for CY 2019 OPPS” with Jugna Shah, MPH (October 16, 9:15–10:30 a.m.), “NCCI/MUE Processes: Reduce Edits by Confronting and Eliminating Obstacles” with Valerie Rinkle, MPA, ACHE, and Denise Williams, RN, COC (October 17, 9:30–10:45 a.m.), and “Implementing the New Outpatient Lab DOS Exception” with Valerie A. Rinkle (October 17, 3:45–5:00 p.m.).

My own session will take place on day one, October 16, 1:45–3:00 p.m. Titled “The Revenue Integrity Workplan: Collaboration, Communication, Comprehension.” I will be speaking about creating a workplan. An annual workplan is essential to ensure that that all areas of charge capture are reviewed on a regular basis, keeping us on track. As we are all aware, there is often more to do than is possible, and it allows us to prioritize and focus. It also allows the revenue integrity department to be more transparent in an organization.

My presentation will also provide an overview of how an annual workplan has been developed and implemented at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. It will demonstrate what is included in the workplan, complexities encountered, and the importance of collaboration, communication, and comprehension of the EMR in use.

In addition to the conference, I plan to enjoy the Arizona landscape. I am looking forward to relaxing at The Wigwam a day early and hiking in Sedona after the conference.

Editor’s note: Niedzwiecki is a registered nurse, certified public accountant and certified professional coder (COC, CPC, CIRCC), and holds a certification in EPIC Resolute Charge Capture. Degrees include an Associate of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Management (with highest distinction), and a Masters in Business Administration (with distinction). Marilyn is currently employed as the Director of Revenue Integrity at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, where she is involved in Chargemaster maintenance along with other revenue cycle initiatives.

For additional information, listen to a recording of our Revenue Integrity Symposium Demo and view the corresponding slides. Revenue integrity professionals wishing to earn support from program administrators to attend the 2018 Revenue Integrity Symposium may adapt our justification letter proposal.