CEU Accreditation
This program has been approved for 5.0 continuing education units for use in fulfilling the continuing education requirements of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Granting prior approval from AHIMA does not constitute endorsement of the program content of its program sponsor.

Day One Agenda
Thursday, March 13

8:00   REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COFFEE

8:55   OPENING REMARKS & PROGRAM WELCOME

9:00   EXECUTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION: THE CURRENT STATE OF THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
• Forecasting legislative and policy changes & their impacts on healthcare
• Innovative improvements to operations and revenue flow
• Adapting to shifting needs and expectations of employees and providers
• Navigating growth through shifting and complex challenges
Amy Premetz, VP, Revenue Cycle Operations
Houston Methodist
Tanvir Sahsi, Senior Director, Business Operations & Revenue Cycle
Mount Sinai Health System
Elena Givens, Executive Director, HIM Operations
Wellstar Health System
Kristen Luebrecht, Chief Financial Officer
Premier Pain Treatment Institute

10:00   LEVERAGING AI & AUTOMATION IN THE REVENUE CYCLE
As healthcare organizations face mounting financial pressures, AI and automation are transforming revenue cycle operations by improving efficiency, accuracy, and cash flow. This discussion will explore how leading health systems are using AI-driven solutions to streamline claims processing, reduce denials, enhance coding accuracy, and optimize patient financial interactions. Attendees will gain insights into practical implementation strategies, common pitfalls to avoid, and the evolving role of automation in shaping the future of revenue cycle management.
Kristen Nehk, Chief Billing Operating Officer
Pain Treatment Centers of America

10:45   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

TRACK B

11:15    BUILDING STRONGER HEALTHCARE TEAMS: CULTIVATING A CULTURE OF COLLABORATION AND EXCELLENCE
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the importance of cohesive teams and nurturing a thriving workplace culture cannot be overstated. This discussion group delves into the strategies and best practices for fostering collaboration, communication, and camaraderie among healthcare professionals. From cultivating trust and respect to promoting diversity and inclusion, attendees will explore actionable insights and case studies to empower their organizations in creating an environment where both staff and patients thrive. Join us as we embark on a journey to unlock the keys to building resilient teams and cultivating a workplace culture that inspires excellence in healthcare delivery.
Lakeysha Moore, Director, HIM & Coding Operations
Parkland Health

12:00  EFFECTIVE CONTRACT GOVERNANCE: ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY & COMPLIANCE
In today’s complex healthcare landscape, robust contract governance is critical to ensuring compliance, minimizing risk, and driving organizational success. This roundtable will focus on strategies for establishing strong contract oversight frameworks, aligning contract terms with organizational goals, and fostering transparent communication between stakeholders. Attendees will learn how to implement effective governance processes that hold parties accountable, reduce legal and financial risks, and improve overall contract performance across payer agreements, vendor contracts, and more.
Todd DeWeese, Interim VP, Payer Relations
Scripps Health

12:45   LUNCHEON

TRACK B

2:00   UNIFYING DENIAL TEAMS: STRATEGIES FOR SEAMLESS COMMUNICATION AND RESOLUTION
Denial management is a critical component of the healthcare revenue cycle, and an effective denial team is key to minimizing financial losses and improving operational efficiency. This session will focus on unifying denial teams through strategies that foster seamless communication, collaboration, and resolution. Practical insights will be shared on how to create a unified approach to denial prevention, resolution, and follow-up, ensuring a smoother workflow and faster reimbursement cycles.
Lori Mills, Director of HI Services
Primeau Consulting Group

2:45   REDUCING BAD DEBT: PROACTIVE APPROACHES TO DENIALS, SELF-PAY, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Reducing bad debt is a vital goal for healthcare organizations, and a proactive approach to managing denials, self-pay accounts, and financial assistance programs is essential to achieving this objective. In this discussion, attendees will explore strategies to reduce bad debt by addressing key areas of the revenue cycle. Best practices for managing self-pay accounts, improving denial prevention efforts, and optimizing financial assistance programs will be discussed.
Ikenna Oputa, Regional Director, Patient Financial Services
AdventHealth

3:30   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

4:00   DENIAL ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS: TURNING DATA INTO ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
Denial management is one of the most critical aspects of optimizing revenue cycle performance, and identifying root causes is key to reducing denial rates and improving cash flow. This discussion will delve into effective root cause analysis techniques, demonstrating how to leverage denial data to uncover patterns, address systemic issues, and implement corrective actions. Attendees will learn how to transform complex data sets into actionable insights that can drive improvements across coding, billing, payer relations, and claims management.
BJ Taylor, Director, Revenue Cycle Operations
Wellstar Health System

4:45   BUILDING EFFICIENT TEAMS WITH LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE
In an era of remote and hybrid work, automation, and consolidation, team building has become increasingly harder. Leadership excellence can strengthen existing teams while providing an avenue for innovative methods of recruitment and retention. This roundtable will focus on leadership exemplified in behavioral health and community healthcare partnerships.
Brittany Grinker, Director, Revenue Cycle Business Excellence
Piedmont Healthcare

5:30   End of Day One

Day Two Agenda
Friday, March 14

8:30   WELCOME COFFEE

9:00   RENEGOTIATING CONTRACTS TO UPHOLD PAYER ACCOUNTABILITY
Renegotiating contracts with payers is a critical strategy for healthcare organizations looking to improve financial outcomes and ensure accountability in reimbursement processes. This session will focus on the importance of renegotiating payer contracts to strengthen accountability and align financial goals. Attendees will gain insights into key considerations when revisiting contract terms, including negotiating for improved reimbursement rates, more favorable payment terms, and clearer accountability measures. The session will also cover best practices for using data-driven approaches to advocate for more equitable terms and enhance the overall relationship between payers and providers.
Danielle Bousselot, Director of Payer Relations & Contracting
Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry

9:45   REMOTE WORKFORCE: INCREASING ENGAGEMENT & TEAM COMMUNICATION
In today’s digital age, the landscape of work has undergone a profound transformation, with remote teams becoming the new norm. While remote work offers unparalleled flexibility and access to global talent, it also presents unique challenges in maintaining engagement and fostering effective team communication. This roundtable delves into the strategies and best practices essential for maximizing engagement and enhancing communication within remote teams.
Devona Jackson, Director, Revenue Cycle
Centerstone

10:30   NETWORKING & COFFEE BREAK

11:00   KPIS THAT MATTER: ALIGNING METRICS WITH FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL SUCCESS
Key performance indicators (KPIs) are essential for driving healthcare organizations toward financial and operational excellence. This session will explore how to select and align the right KPIs to optimize both clinical and financial outcomes. Attendees will learn how to measure and track critical metrics that directly impact revenue, cost management, and quality of care, while ensuring these KPIs reflect the organization’s strategic goals. Real-world examples will highlight how aligning KPIs with financial and operational objectives can lead to improved performance, better decision-making, and a more sustainable healthcare model.
Latrisha Starkes, Director, Revenue Cycle
Johns Hopkins Medicine

11:45   THE FUTURE OF AI-DRIVEN CDI: ENHANCING DOCUMENTATION ACCURACY & COMPLIANCE
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) by improving the accuracy, efficiency, and compliance of medical records. This conversation will explore the transformative role of AI in CDI, from automating the review process to flagging potential issues and suggesting improvements in real-time. Attendees will gain insights into how AI can enhance documentation accuracy, reduce clinician burden, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
John Emmanuel, Assistant Director, CDI
Emory Healthcare

12:30   Conclusion of Event

A Special Thanks to our Forum Partners: