Preliminary survey results show importance of interdepartmental relationships to revenue integrity

Strong interdepartmental relationships with clinical, other middle revenue cycle, and IT departments top the list of positive effects on revenue integrity programs, according to preliminary results of NAHRI’s 2024 State of the Revenue Integrity Industry Survey. The survey, which is open until April 8, collects information on current revenue integrity priorities, best practices, structures, and goals. The full results will be published during 2024 Revenue Integrity Week (June 3–7).

To learn more about what’s improving revenue integrity program effectiveness, and what’s holding it back, survey respondents are asked about things that may have a positive, negative, or neutral effect on their program. Despite industry buzz about AI and advanced technology, it’s the human connections that have the biggest impact, according to survey respondents. According to the preliminary results, the top five positive effects on revenue integrity program effectiveness are as follows:

• Relationship with clinical departments (89%)
• Relationship with other middle revenue cycle departments (86%)
• Relationship with IT/analytics (79%)
• Use of automation (e.g., automation charges, edit management) (69%)
• Resolving claim edits (67%)

On the other hand, staffing woes are leading the pack when it comes to challenges. According to the preliminary results, the top five negative effects on revenue integrity program effectiveness are as follows:

• Lack of qualified staff (57%)
• Expansion of duties to non-revenue integrity related functions (33%)
• Payer audits (24%)
• Use of productivity measures (14%)
• Managing denials (12%)

The survey is open until April 8, so there’s still time to weigh in. Your responses ensure NAHRI and the larger revenue integrity community have the most robust and meaningful data and can better spotlight strengths, trends, and areas for improvement. Survey respondents may opt in for a chance to join a NAHRI roundtable. Take the survey now!

Curious about the information and analysis you can expect to find in the 2024 State of the Revenue Integrity Industry Report? Check out last year’s report!