A cornerstone of the work that we do at the healthXchange is identifying and bringing to the platform individuals with new ideas and perspectives on the many challenges faced by hospitals and health systems. Read on to learn about the current scope of this duo’s work, how they began their careers in the healthcare industry, what motivates them about their current positions, and what challenges they are preparing to address during 2023.
Senior Revenue Cycle Manager
TEXAS ONCOLOGY
Tell us a little about your professional background; what inspired you to start working in the healthcare industry, and the types of roles you’ve enjoyed during your career thus far.
Like so many of us, I started my healthcare career as a frontline employee in hospital registration. I was able to hone my knowledge and experience with health insurance while working in the Emergency Department. There, I also learned the importance of detailed documentation in the EMR. The Emergency Department is my first love! I was able to become an expert in a variable range of patient types, appointment types, various insurance plans, and interact with each department of the hospital.
Can you share with us a bit about the scope of your role at Texas Oncology as the Senior Revenue Cycle Manager, and what excites you about your current position?
As a Senior Revenue Cycle Manager, I direct overall operations, within the access departments of New Patient Scheduling, Registration, Financial Counseling, and Prior Authorizations. I am responsible for ensuring our patients have an outstanding experience from intake through to treatment. Our patients are patients for life and it’s of great importance to develop and maintain a relationship with them.
Developing ways to best connect with our patients and care for them financially is what excites me bring my best each day and set the example for staff.
We’re really looking forward to you joining the panel this February, focused on Registration & Eligibility Verification, which is a critical first step in a patient’s financial journey. Could you share one way that you and your team are trying to improve this process in 2023?
This year, we are taking a more proactive approach for Registration & Eligibility Verification. What does this look like? Developing ways for patients to confirm their demographics and insurance information electronically, prior to stepping a foot inside any of our facilities. Utilizing eligibility automation that allows Financial Counselors to focus more on the patient facing patient experience.
Angela Barnett
Patient Access Education Manager
MON HEALTH
Tell us a little about your professional background; what inspired you to start working in the healthcare industry, and the types of roles you’ve enjoyed during your career thus far.
I have been in the Healthcare field for over 20 years. I started as a Medical Assistant, and then moved to the Revenue Cycle side, holding positions as a Billing Manager, Pre Access (Service) Center Manager, and Practice Manager for outpatient services.
Currently, I am the Patient Access Education Manager for Mon Health Medical Center. I was inspired to start in the healthcare industry due to the satisfaction of helping others.
Can you share with us a bit about the scope of your role at Mon Health as the Patient Access Education Manager, and what excites about your current position?
In my current role at Mon Health as the Patient Access Education Manager, my team and I provide Patient Access Education to all front-end users at the ambulatory clinics, outpatient services at the hospital and the Pre Access (Service) Center.
I enjoy this role, as it allows me to assist others in their journey to success. In this role, I am also responsible for the Authorization team.
We’re really looking forward to you joining the panel this February focused on Securing Prior-Authorization for Care, which is a considerable challenge for patient access and revenue cycle executives. Could you share one way that you are trying to smooth this process in 2023?
For 2023, I have been working with one of our outside vendors to ensure the Authorization team’s work queues are accurately pulling orders, to guarantee timely delivery of authorizations and approval for the requested services.
I also work closely with the Informatics team to produce feedback and training opportunities as the orders for services are being requested. Reviewing the format for the orders, to safeguard accuracy and timely submission is also a priority.