With rising out-of-pocket costs and unemployment at an all-time high, healthcare systems have seen an increase in uncompensated care. According to the American Hospital Association, since 2000, hospitals have provided more than $660 billion in uncompensated care to patients in their communities. In practice, it is a complex process to distinguish between bad debt and financial assistance. In this presentation, we will cover best practices in bad debt and charity recognition that can be applied to healthcare systems with varying financial conditions, payer mixes, geographic locations and non-profit vs. for-profit entities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Incorporate a patient-first, empathetic approach to your bad debt collections, including training and dialogue examples for your teams.
2. Discover propensity to pay, presumptive charity scoring and segmentation models and other technological innovations to ensure patients in need are receiving charity applications.
3. Learn how one organization increased settlement in full payments through discount program A/B testing its consumers, timing and messaging.

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The Departments of Health & Human Services, Labor, and Treasury have issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) implementing many of the requirements of the No Surprises Act, which takes effect January 1. This webinar will provide an overview of the key features of the Act, with a particular focus on when post-stabilization services are covered by the law, and the parameters for obtaining valid notice and consent from out-of-network patients.

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VA Claims are the forefront of most national newspapers today. MISSION Act, claims now processed through Optum, half the country still uses TriWest, Authorized and Unauthorized Care… does it make your head spin yet? In this webinar we will deconstruct VA claims and boil down some of the rhetoric into understandable language.

1. Discuss how we got to where we are and what the MISSION Act means.
2. Review some keys to success around submission and payment of VA claims.
3. Crystal ball predictions into what VA patients mean to the hospital revenue cycle in the future.

Speakers: Kirby Yawn, SVP, Solutions Strategy

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Join us for this informative lunch and learn webinar.

The Intelligence Revolution is upon us and WFH has become a standard. The industry is being inundated with new models, new companies, new products, new partnerships and new acronyms; like AI, NLU, ML, RPA, CV and NLP. Oftentimes when hospitals are hearing about this technology for the first time they leave the meeting feeling confused and overwhelmed. The technology is real and the application of it is growing. In this webinar you will get an understanding of some of the technoligies driving the intelligence revolution and learn how organizations are applying the technology and re-imiganing their human capital strategy.

Lunch: $10 GRUBHUB Code (Redeemable information to be sent out day of webinar.)

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For over 50 years CAHAM has provided support and superior resources to the healthcare admissions industry, preceding all other state and national groups. Now more than ever before, CAHAM is proud to serve as your premier professional association and your best link to the vital information available to professionals in the healthcare industry. From scheduling and pre-registration to collections and denials management, CAHAM brings you the most intensive educational line-up provided to date and is pleased to have one of the finest conference locations available.

Assist your CAHAM Board in conference planning and save money by registering ASAP! Food and conference accommodations must be confirmed a minimum of 30 days in advance. Help us to accommodate all attendees efficiently by registering timely.

CAHAM 2021 room rate is available 1 days pre and post conference.
Book your hotel today by clicking here or contact Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa directly by phone at (702) 797-7777 and reference “CAHAM 52nd Annual Conference”.

Event Date: 8/15/2021 – 8/18/2021
Event Time: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Pacific

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In this session, we will frame the payment challenges patients and providers are experiencing in the current environment. Some of these challenges stem from the recent COVID-19 pandemic and high deductible plans which are placing increasing financial pressure on patients. Other challenges are a result of patients struggling to understand their benefits or are surprised by the amount due after care. And others are a result of patients becoming confused by their medical bills, not knowing what payments are due, when they are due, or how to pay. We will explore strategies that enable providers to meet patients at their point of need. Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center, located in Northern Arizona, and Monument Health, in South Dakota, will share best practices and lessons they have learned to engage patients during pre-service, point of service and post-care.

Learning Objectives:

1. How to incorporate estimates and pre-service patient communications into your patient payment strategy.
2. How a patient payment strategy can positively impact patient collections and reduce bad debt.
3. How providers can leverage patient payment plans to drive increased patient satisfaction, while lowering AR.

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We are back! With California now open, we are excited to host our first in person Summer Social. Join us for an evening of reconnecting.

Limited capacity, register by August 06, 2021. Event will be held outdoors.

HFMA Members: Free, must be registered (includes one drink per person and appetizers)

Important Notice Regarding COVID-19: Please note any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19. We encourage you to follow state and local restrictions and guidance. For more information regarding California’s COVID guidance click here.

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These Monday/Friday virtual events feature presentations on best practices as well as interactive sessions with real time Q&A.

SAVE THE DATE: Outlook | Google

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RESET YOUR TRUE NORTH

Join us June 29 for a virtual preview of the Annual Conference.

You’ll learn some key takeaways from the program, hear highlights from keynote speakers, and get a preview of featured sessions from each of the eight content tracks.

3-Hour Program • 8 Preview Sessions • Earn 2 CPE Credits!

Click Here for Free Registration.

Join us for this exciting event! You’ll receive a mixology box which includes all ingredients to make 2 fun & creative cocktails (Grilled Pineapple Margarita and Texas Paintbrush Cocktail) provided by the San Diego/Imperial Chapter and delivered to your specified address. The event is free but there is a fee of $28 to cover the flat shipping fee. Please note, an adult signature is required for delivery. Attendance is limited to 50 members.

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*Registration closes June 3rd

The 23rd Annual HFMA Western Region Symposium will be live and in person in 2022. The Core Committee is busy working to create amazing networking opportunities, the most relevant and compelling education and the largest exhibition area, next to the Annual Conference, for vendors to showcase their products and services.

The Western Region Symposium is all about connecting individuals who work in hospitals, health plans, physician practices and others in healthcare settings by creating an environment to educate, connect and motivate!

In the interim, we encourage you to participate in the numerous WRS, Region 10 & Region 11 virtual events to include monthly webinars and networking events. Information about the WRS hosted webinars can be found under the Education tab. Links are also listed below along with a link to the WRS Holiday Happy Hour. Information about Region 10 & 11 events can be found on the individual chapter websites.

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The landscape of healthcare has changed as the main causes of death and morbidity have changed. Social and economic factors have the largest impact on health status and outcomes – almost as much as health behaviors, clinical care and physical environment combined! This webinar will introduce you to numerous initiatives which are underway and go beyond the food pantry to address the socioeconomic challenges.

Learning Objectives:

1. How to distinguish a social determinant from a social need and what they are
2. The impact engagement and intervention can have during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic
3. Options for identifying, documenting, and tracking community and individual need
4. Initiatives that stakeholders like the government, payers, providers, states and partners are experimenting with

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All Members are welcome and encouraged to attend FREE.

Developing your personal brand and marketing yourself during a career transition

Topics

• What to do in-between jobs.
• How to manage transitions.
• Recruitment tools (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.)
• What organizations are looking for in applicants
• How to leverage yourself in a competitive industry especially during COVID

Cost

• SOHL Member: $45
• Non-member: $50
• Veterans: $45
• Students: $45

A voucher for a complimentary headshot session will be provided for the first 50 people registering for the event.

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Optimizing Patient Collections in Times Like These

During economic downturns such as the Great Recession in the last decade, as well our current situation brought on by the pandemic, patients already struggling with high out-of-pocket healthcare costs find it even more difficult to pay their medical bills. In times like these, how can healthcare providers minimize the negative impact to self-pay collections while maintaining positive patient relationships? With real-life examples and supporting data, Scott Purcell, ACA International’s current president and president of Professional Credit, reviews five key strategies for optimizing patient collections while ensuring there is no negative impact on the patient experience.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn the financial impact of the accuracy of various data elements.
2. How to train your staff for more collaborative patient financial discussions.
3. Discover new ways to tailor communication and the best engagement technology on the market today.
4. Understand the value of long-term financial engagement during economic downturns.

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Closing the Gap on Transparency and Affordability During COVID-19

Providers have been financially hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and now are struggling to get patients back in the door. Patient financing programs and improved financial communications is key to bridging this gap as one healthcare provider demonstrates.

Two years ago, University of Kansas Health System (UKHS) saw the impact high-deductible plans were having on collections, bad debt, and days in accounts receivable (A/R) for both hospital and professional accounts. It also recognized the need to ramp up financial communications prior to the point of service.

UKHS redesigned its patient payment plan model to include long-term, zero-interest patient financing for patients in need, with discounts for true self-pay patients. The health system also transformed patient financial communications to ensure patients felt better prepared to manage the cost of their care and help remove financial stress from the patient experience.

The results have been outstanding: a notable reduction in bad debt and fewer days in A/R for professional accounts; and financing of $14 million in patient accounts, with a recourse rate of just 8 percent; and increased patient satisfaction.

Learning Objectives:

1. Find out how UKHS transformed the patient financial experience, heightened transparency and affordability, and boosted collections during this session. Attendees will also learn how these changes set UKHS up for financial success during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Gain insight into why 74 percent of Millennials, 68 percent of Generation X patients and 60 percent of Baby Boomers don’t pay their medical bills in full.
   Find strategies for satisfying increased demands for transparency and affordability during a pandemic and beyond.
3. Discover the difference enhanced patient financial communications and affordable payment options can make in bringing patients in the door, improving collections and reducing bad debt.

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Chuck Alsdurf will join us from HFMA National to share the latest healthcare regulatory and legislative issues moving through Congress, Health and Human Services (HHS), CMS and their anticipated impact on healthcare organizations. Ryan Witz will follow with California specific updates including Medi-Cal reform (CalAIM), Medi-Cal managed care procurement, AB 1130: Office of Health Care Affordability.

SPEAKER BIOs:

Chuck Alsdurf, MAcc, MBA, CPA is the Director of Professional Practice & Executive Relationships Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). Chuck is a policy leader focused on the healthcare Senior Financial Executive perspective, identifying key trends, issues, and regulations to develop relevant content, education strategy, and offerings beneficial to our members. He is responsible for closely monitoring finance, accounting and payment policy to ensure the impact on healthcare is analyzed and communicated to the industry as well as regulatory agencies.

Ryan Witz is the Vice President of Health Care Finance Initiatives at California Hospital Association (CHA). He represents members’ financial interests related to Medicare, Medi-Cal, commercial payers and other government entities. He provides support on financial and reimbursement issues affecting California hospitals and health systems and represents CHA with stakeholders where hospital finance and technical knowledge is needed. Ryan is also involved with the development and implementation of the hospital fee and other financing programs.

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Uncompensated Care – Positioning your revenue cycle to drive yield from payer and patient

Most healthcare financial leaders are privy to the challenges uncompensated care poses and how greatly it can impact an institution’s bottom line. While it’s often difficult to avoid completely, there are strategies you can put in place to mitigate losses. In this live webinar, author and TransUnion’s Principal of Healthcare Strategy, Jonathan Wiik will speak to the contributing factors of uncompensated care and provide solutions to help you make a positive impact in 2021.

Learning Objectives:

1. The AHA Uncompensated Care Report — Uphill trends of ‘dollars owed’ analytics
2. Understand the rise in uncompensated care in an era of uncertainty
3. The state of payment from patient and payer today, along with a future outlook.

Join this session to gain an expert perspective and help better position your organization to identify opportunities to offset uncompensated care.

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Click Here for event presentation (PDF).