Using HIPAA’s administrative simplification requirements and the CDM to combat denials
Editor’s note: Valerie Rinkle, MPA, CHRI, president of Valorize Consulting LLC in Medford, Oregon, will present “What's HIPAA Got to Do With the CDM?” on day two of the 2026 Revenue Integrity Symposium, which will take place September 24–25 in Savannah, Georgia. Get an exclusive insider’s look at what RIS attendees will learn and experience at the event, discuss highlights from the agenda, and more during our upcoming free webinar! Download the digital brochure here. Use NAHRI’s justification letter template as a guide to gain your organization’s support for attending. Consider applying for the NAHRI Scholarship, which awards free registration to RIS (the application deadline is June 8).
Q: In what ways does your session challenge attendees to think outside the box?
Rinkle: So many of us in healthcare think solely about HIPAA as being related to privacy and security of protected health information, but there is another side of HIPAA that applies to the chargemaster and other revenue integrity functions. This in and of itself is a new way of thinking and, when understood, better informs how to approach the chargemaster.
Q: What’s the biggest challenge in revenue integrity and/or revenue cycle right now? How does your session help tackle this?
Rinkle: I think the sheer volume and growing type of payer denials is one of the biggest challenges in revenue integrity. This session will highlight ways to strengthen the chargemaster to help reduce charge denials.
Q: What’s one of the key pieces of information you would like people to take away from your session?
Rinkle: The codes in the chargemaster and their definitions and appropriate use apply equally to Medicare and commercial payers.
Q: What are you most excited about for this year’s conference?
Rinkle: To see familiar and new faces and encourage professionals in revenue integrity.
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?
Rinkle: I think it is to stay focused on the project with the biggest ROI and stay with it to completion and celebrate the success with all the team. We often move from issue to issue, fire to fire, and don’t complete root cause analysis and demonstrable solutions and that can be demoralizing. It is important to take back control and show that the work everyone is engaged in is meaningful and is helping your organization to stay strong for the patients it treats.