Strategies for Effective
Revenue Cycle Management

Join AHIMA as we focus on opportunities that will help you lead successful revenue cycle management! It’s clear that effective revenue cycle management is vital in the current healthcare and economic environment. Understanding compliance and the federal government's ongoing efforts to address fraud and abuse issues affects the bottom line like never before. As organizations and providers continue struggling with changes to prospective payment systems and quality reporting measurements, the importance of identifying opportunities to decrease days in accounts receivable is escalated. Special Audio Seminar Discount Offer for Spring Conference Attendees How you will benefit Learn how effective revenue cycle management is a fundamental component of any viable healthcare organization. Gain valuable management skills that will facilitate addressing the changing prospective payment challenges in today's healthcare environment. Top Reasons to Attend Healthcare providers are searching for new innovative ways to address the revenue cycle to compensate for rising healthcare costs. Hospitals are losing an estimated 3-5% of net revenue from inadequate revenue cycle management, translating to revenue losses of $4.5 - $9 million annually for the average 300-bed hospital. One main reason for revenue loss is the organization’s inability to consistently meet complex and ever-changing payer requirements for preauthorization, medical necessity and timely filing. The biggest mistake organizations make is relying on back end rework to correct front end errors, with an estimated 75% of revenue cycle staff dedicated to back end work. Gartner research indicates that 40% of organizations fail to appropriately manage their revenue cycle and struggle to stay in business. Continuing Education Units Available:  11 Learning Level: 3 - Analysis Learning Category: Coding and Reimbursement

Monday, March 16, 2009
7:30 - 8:00	Registration
8:00 - 8:15	Welcome	Lou Ann Wiedemann, MS, RHIA, CPEHR AHIMA
8:15 - 10:15	Plenary Session: Charge Masters Are Easy:  It’s Charge Capture That’s Tough - Get the Charges on the Bill! Are your days in Accounts Receivable increasing?  Do you wish there was a better way to capture charges?  Are your department heads knowledgeable regarding what should be billed for which services? Your chargemaster may have all the right codes and charges, but they aren’t being reported correctly. Join us as we focus on how patient financial services can collaborate with ancillary to learn dynamic new approaches to charge capture.	Day Egusquiza President AR Systems, Inc
10:15 - 10:30	Networking Break
Break Out Track One:
10:30 - 12:30	Observation Services: The Challenges of Coverage and Compliance Limited new coverage is a part of the Medicare OPPS regulations; however, to ensure compliance, all aspects of coverage must be addressed.  This presentation will walk the audience through why we should LOVE observation and identify keys for success. Learn best practices for clinical staff, patient registration and case management in addressing observation challenges.	Day Egusquiza President AR Systems, Inc
12:30 - 1:30	Lunch
1:30 - 3:00	CCI Edits:  Don’t Let Them Manage You! The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services developed the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) to promote national correct coding methodologies and to control potential improper coding which could lead to inappropriate payments.  Learn how financial services can collaborate with patient registration, compliance officers, and HIM professionals to manage these edits and take proactive steps to reduce days in accounts receivable.	Denisha M. Torres-Lich, MS, RHIA, LHRM President Torres-Lich Consulting
3:00 - 4:30	Building Your Outpatient Revenue:  Best Practices in Medical Necessity There are as many definitions of medical necessity as there are payers, laws and courts to interpret them.  Most definitions incorporate the principle of providing reasonable and necessary services in light of clinical standards of practice.  Claims for services which do not meet medical necessity will be denied, but not getting paid isn’t the only risk.  Compliance issues can become another concern for the revenue cycle.  This session will focus how to build outpatient revenue while developing proactive steps to address medical necessity concerns.	Susan Bell, CPA, CPC Navigant Consulting Debbie Zarick, RN, BSN, CPC, CCS-P Navigant Consulting
Break Out Track Two:
10:30 - 12:30	Utilizing the EHR for Medicare Outcome Based Quality Measures Did you know that organizations can employ electronic health records to track certain clusters of key signs and symptoms relative to chronic illness indicators and Medicare’s Outcome Based Quality Measures?  These reports can assist in identifying evidence of medical necessity that will alert clinical providers.  Results for organizations include improvements in patient care and increased revenue opportunities.  The focus of this session will be the early detection system needed for disease processes and manifestations that can potentially lessen the impact of hospital acquired conditions.	Shelley C. Safian, MAOM/HSM, CCS-P, CPC-H President Safian Communications Services, Inc.
12:30 - 1:30	Lunch
1:30 - 3:00	Managing Your Emergency Department Revenue Emergency department revenue has never been more critical.  With the introduction of E/M visit guidelines, changes in observation services, new HCPC codes and trauma activation fees, managing coverage requirements continue to escalate.  Physicians, nurses, coders and chargemaster staff must work together to define and manage their piece of the revenue cycle in order to optimize revenue.	Joanna Martinez President, Revenue & Compliance Solutions, L.L.C.
3:00 - 4:30	RAC Audits:  Tracking and Trending Claims Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC) are contracted with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to audit Medicare processed claims that have not previously been reviewed for improper payment.  Learn how your organization can assist in decreasing RAC exposure by working closely with physicians, coders ,compliance, billing, information services and case management.	Donna Wilson, RHIA,CCS Senior Director Compliance Concepts, Inc.
4:30 - 5:00	Closing Remarks
7 CEUs
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
7:30 - 8:00	Registration
8:00 - 8:15	Welcome & Recap	Lou Ann Wiedemann, MS, RHIA, CPEHR AHIMA
8:15 - 10:15	Regulation Overview of Identity Theft Prevention Program:  Identifying Red Flags for Covered Accounts Is your organization prepared for the extent of the newly proposed Red Flag Rules effective May 1, 2009?  Healthcare organizations, regardless of the setting, are subject to the Rule because they provide creditor activities as a part of accounts receivable collection activities.  Learn what you can do to prepare your organization for this new rule.	Laura Kinder Compliance Officer MedAssist, Inc
10:15 - 10:30	Networking Break
10:30 - 12:30	Physician Queries:  The Positive Impact on Your Revenue Cycle Documentation within the health record is meant for a multitude of uses.  Among the most important uses is providing communication between the clinical care providers and supporting quality and efficiency in patient care.  Complete and accurate documentation is imperative to the integrity of the record.  This session will focus on the physician query process and how appropriate management can positively impact the revenue cycle while increasing communication between care providers.	Kathy DeVault, RHIA, CCS Lou Ann Wiedemann, MS, RHIA, CPEHR AHIMA
12:30 - 1:30	Closing Remarks
4 CEUs
Total CEUs: 11

Hotel Information

JW Marriott Grande Lakes
4040 Central Florida Parkway
Orlando, Florida 32837

Hotel Reservations

To make hotel reservations please call (800) 576-5750 or (407) 393-4750 and use the meeting reference code 1-UZGBQ6. Discount rates will be offered to AHIMA attendees prior to the cutoff date listed below.

Rate: $179 - Limited Time Offer!
Cut-off  Date: Monday, February 23, 2009
Website link:  http://www.grandelakes.com/

Ground Transportation

Airport Shuttles

Mears Transportation Group - (407)423-5566

Shuttle van fares are charged per person.  Check with the attendant for round-trip fares and children's rates.

Shuttle vans are available on both the A and B sides of the Main Terminal, on the Ground Transportation Level (Level 1), at the Commercial Lane parking spaces A9-A10, A36-37, B9-10, B40-41.

Taxis

Taxis may carry up to 9 passengers, and charge the same rate regardless of the number of passengers.  Metered rate may vary from the approximate rates quoted below. Taxis are available on both the A and B sides of the Main Terminal, on the Ground Transportation Level (Level) 1, at Commercial Lane parking spaces A5-A8, A28-A31, B5-B8, B19-B24.

Car Rentals

Located on airport property within walking distance of the Main Terminal; Terminal A and Terminal B - Ground Transportation Level (Level 1).  Rental car companies include: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, EZ Rent A Car, L & M Rental Car and National.

Save 10-15% of rental cars from Enterprise and Avis.  Contact ATC for more information and to reserve your car today! You may also call your own agency or the vendors directly and refer to the following I. D. numbers:

Enterprise	32H7476	(800) 593-0505
Avis	J952801	(800) 331-1600

Air Transportation

Association Travel Concepts (ATC) is the official travel agency for AHIMA.  ATC is a full service travel agency that provides personalized service, advance seat assignments, special meal requests, frequent flier program updates, electronic ticketing, e-mail access for convenient booking of your tickets, and more.  ATC is available for reservations from 9:00 am until 7:30 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Some restrictions may apply. Service fees apply.

ATC offers these cost saving options:

• Up to 15 percent off applicable classes of service for tickets purchased more than 30 days prior to the meeting. Restrictions apply and not all classes of service apply for the 15 percent discount. (United) 5 percent off applicable classes of service for tickets purchased prior to the meeting. (American Airlines).
• ATC will also search for the lowest available fare on ANY airline.

ATC Online Travel Center – Association Member Benefits 

You get direct access to ATC online booking tools and live agents for discounted meeting travel. Simply log on to www.atcmeetings.com and click on “Meetings to Air - Meetings and Leisure (TravelASP).” When you register using the online booking tool please enter AHIMA in the Company or Organization or Association field. ATC is proud to offer AHIMA attendees complete access to Member Benefits Travel deals. Our new Travel Center is your one stop online destination for all of your meeting and leisure travel needs.

Contact ATC via:

•  Web: www.atcmeetings.com
• Email: reservations@atcmeetings.com
• Phone: (800) 458-9383

You may also call your own agency or the vendors directly and refer to the following I. D. numbers:

United	510CK
American Airlines	81H7AB

 

Registration Fees

AHIMA members receive discounted pricing for meetings.

 

Pricing (After March 9 - Onsite Only)
AHIMA Member Price	$559
Price	$660

Contact Customer Relations at 1-800-335-5535 for more information.

Onsite Registration

• Online Registration - Now closed
• Print registration form and bring completed form and payment onsite:
  

              JW Marriott Grande Lakes
              4040 Central Florida Parkway
              Orlando, Florida 32837

Cancellation Policy

If you must cancel your meeting registration, you may either provide a substitute, or cancel your registration. In either case, please notify AHIMA in writing as soon as possible. A $75 processing fee is assessed on all cancellations received two weeks prior to the appropriate meeting date. After that date, the full registration fee will be forfeited unless your registration is cancelled due to an emergency. In an emergency, please notify AHIMA’s registrar of your cancellation via fax, including an explanation for your cancellation. All refunds will be processed within 30 days after receipt.

AHIMA reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a conference due to unanticipated circumstances. In the event of cancellation, registrants will be contacted and the full registration fee will be refunded. AHIMA and ATC are not responsible for any travel arrangement cancellation charges incurred by event cancellations.