Souza, M. McCarty, B. (2007). From bottom to top How one provider retooled its collections Free Essay Example, 2000 words

The patient account representatives, members of the central business, and collectors in Sacramento work their way to register the staff to transfer most of the back-end functions. Setting Benchmarks Sutter identifies several problems in the course of analyzing its revenue management cycle prior to implementing a new program. For instance, (1) the PFS staff cannot obtain real time information on the key financial and operational indicators such as cash collections and account receivable days. As a result, the management and the staff have to wait until end of the month to evaluate and track progress, set benchmarks, or make crucial business decisions. (2) The hospital accounting system does not permit managers to analyze and select specific data or to generate reports that require detailed information. Sacramento region relies on a specialist programmer to develop the reports that frequently lead to expensive delays and correcting problems. (3) The central business office (CBO) faces the challenge of lack of real-time information. The staff can only access limited outstanding accounts assigned to them. The account representatives fail to prioritize effectively or monitor their progress. We will write a custom essay sample on Souza, M. & McCarty, B. (2007). From bottom to top: How one provider retooled its collections or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Sutter decides to focus on handful primary benchmarks to address the situation such as gross account receivable days, unbilled account receivable days, gash collections, percentage of account receivable, and major payer account receivable days. Sutter provides PFS staff with different tools to help them prioritize automation, sort accounts, and evaluate the target. Tools inform the staff on ways to improve that will have the greatest impact on the cash collection goals. The mangers have own tools to assist them in monitoring revenue payments, calculating average daily revenue, and assessing performance in every month. Front – End Collecting Half of the required billing elements originate at the point of access. The revenue cycle presents a great opportunity to reduce claims denials. To help ensure optimum performance at the crucial juncture, Sutter new process require analysis of each registration by a rules engine before a patient leaves the registration desk to identify potential problems. Some of the errors identified at the stage of front-end collecting include workers’ compensation due to lack of information, a minor guarantor, an invalid patient for hospital service, An adult above 65 years old with no Medicare insurance, a patient with two medical record numbers, and lack of a health insurance claim number.