Wakefield Receives HFMA Peer Review Designation

Read Time:

What You’ll Learn:

This comprehensive blog, based on a recent webinar hosted by Becker’s Health Care, aims to shed light on critical aspects of this subject.

Read Time:

What You’ll Learn:

Wakefield’s newly HFMA Peer Reviewed revenue cycle management services and the rigorous evaluation process that confirms their effectiveness and value in healthcare financial management.

Source: hfma

December 22, 2024
CHICAGO, July 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) recently reviewed Wakefield’s revenue cycle management services using the Peer Review process. After undergoing the rigorous review, Out-of-Network Lost Revenue Recovery, Complex and Denied claims, Early Out Self-Pay and Bad Debt, have been awarded the “Peer Reviewed by HFMA®” designation.

Key Takeaways For Wakefield Receives HFMA Peer Review Designation

1. Peer Reviewed Designation: Wakefield’s revenue cycle management services, including Out-of-Network Lost Revenue Recovery, Complex and Denied Claims, Early Out Self-Pay, and Bad Debt, have been awarded the “Peer Reviewed by HFMA®” designation after a rigorous review process by the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

2. Service Offerings: Wakefield provides a comprehensive suite of services aimed at maximizing reimbursement and addressing non-traditional payer issues, such as negotiating higher rates, appealing underpayments, early patient billing consultation, and tailored bad debt solutions, which help healthcare organizations recover revenue effectively.

3. HFMA Review Process: The HFMA Peer Review process is an 11-step evaluation involving current customers, prospects, and industry experts, assessing the effectiveness, quality, value, and support of business solutions, and confirms Wakefield’s adherence to the highest standards in healthcare financial management.

This is a bundle of services that are standalone units or packaged together as an integrated solution.
Wakefield’s Out-of-Network Lost Revenue Recovery services offer a team to negotiate higher rates upfront, and appeal underpayments and denials after initial payment, helping clients maximize reimbursement potential by recovering the full value of their services. Complex & Denied Claims services provide hospitals and health systems with a collaborative solution for addressing non-traditional payer issues across various disciplines. Wakefield’s Early Out Self-Pay service, designed to contact patients early in the A/R cycle, uses a consultative approach to help patients pay their bills. Additionally, many clients use Wakefield’s Bad Debt service as a first or second placement option, as it can be tailored to meet the unique needs of any healthcare organization.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious designation from Healthcare Financial Management Association. HFMA continues to set the gold standard for excellence in healthcare financial management, and this recognition underscores our commitment to upholding the highest industry standards,” said Wakefield Chief Revenue Officer Mark Schanck.
HFMA’s Peer Review process provides healthcare financial managers with an objective, third-party evaluation of business solutions used in the healthcare workplace. The 11-step process includes a Peer Review panel review composed of current customers, prospects who have not made a purchase, and industry experts. The Peer Review status of the healthcare business solution and its performance claims are based on effectiveness, quality and usability, price, value, and customer and technical support.
“We are pleased to have Wakefield achieve the HFMA Peer Reviewed designation,” said HFMA Senior Vice President Professional Practice Richard L. Gundling, FHFMA, CMA. “The review process is built around an objective, third-party assessment of overall effectiveness, quality and value.”

About HFMA

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) equips its more than 117,000 members nationwide to navigate a complex healthcare landscape. Finance professionals in the full range of work settings, including hospitals, health systems, physician practices and health plans, trust HFMA to provide the guidance and tools to help them lead their organizations, and the industry, forward. HFMA is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that advances healthcare by collaborating with other key stakeholders to address industry challenges and providing guidance, education, practical tools and solutions, and thought leadership. We lead the financial management of healthcare.

About Wakefield

Established in 1946, Wakefield specializes in Revenue Cycle Management Solutions, which includes Insurance Revenue Recovery, Early Out Self-Pay, and Bad Debt services. Wakefield’s significant investments in people, processes, and technologies allow us to develop and implement quality solutions that accelerate cash flow and A/R liquidation.

Table of Contents

What is Revenue Cycle Management in healthcare? (RCM)

Revenue cycle management (RCM) is the financial process that many healthcare systems and facilities use to track patient care episodes, from registration and appointment scheduling to the final payment of a balance. It includes various administrative and clinical functions crucial for healthcare organizations’ financial health.

How can updating patient registration and eligibility verification improve RCM?

Updating patient registration and automating eligibility verification processes streamline data accuracy and reduce the time spent on manual checks with insurance payers.

This efficiency speeds up the revenue cycle and enhances financial stability by ensuring that services rendered are covered.

With ever changing healthcare regulations why is accurate coding crucial in healthcare RCM?

Accurate coding ensures that healthcare providers are properly reimbursed for the services provided. It is essential for patient payments, reducing billing errors and avoiding claim denials, which are often linked to medical or insurance eligibility errors. Thus, accurate coding supports the organization’s financial health.

What strategies can be used to support claims processing?

Supporting claims processing involves providing training and resources to staff, understanding their challenges, and implementing solutions to optimize the billing processes. This proactive support helps minimize claim denials and ensures timely billing and cash flow.

What are the benefits of embracing innovation in RCM?

Embracing innovation, such as EHRs and artificial intelligence, helps streamline claims submission, enhances insurance verification, and improves overall financial performance.

Innovative tools save time, reduce human error, and allow healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.

How does prioritizing patient satisfaction affect revenue cycle management?

Prioritizing patient satisfaction improves the likelihood of patients fulfilling their financial obligations and enhances the healthcare provider’s reputation. Clear communication about costs and payment options also supports efficient payment collections and contributes to a healthier revenue cycle.

What role does data analytics play in RCM?

Data analytics are crucial for tracking the performance of the revenue cycle. They help healthcare organizations monitor revenue goals, identify trends, and make informed decisions about where improvements are needed, ultimately leading to better revenue generation and financial stability.

Why consider outsourcing in healthcare revenue cycle management?

Outsourcing RCM tasks to experts can provide significant advantages, especially in complex medical billing and coding areas.

Experts like Wakefield can help optimize revenue cycle management processes, leading to more efficient claim handling and reduced denials.

 

Surprise Billing Important Takeaways
Uncategorized

Surprise Billing: Important Takeaways

Wakefield delivers key insights on the complex issue of surprise billing in healthcare, offering valuable takeaways for patients and providers alike. With a confident grasp of the nuances in healthcare finance, they dissect the implications of unexpected medical bills that arise from gaps in insurance coverage or out-of-network services. Wakefield’ analysis is both comprehensive and accessible, shedding light on regulatory changes, patient rights, and provider responsibilities.

Read More »