Getting paid is all about mastering the revenue cycle. Specialist Carolyn Stamey makes sure you’re getting that final payment. She shares how focusing on the patient and doctor experience, enhanced patient satisfaction, and more precise billing will increase reimbursement for the work you do.

“It's so important to have a copy of that insurance contract and really understand it because you can make the insurance company a partner in many ways. You leveraging that provider rep is so important, but having a copy of that contract and understanding it is really critical.” -Carolyn Stamey

Carolyn Stamey is a revenue cycle professional who helps physicians achieve financial success through revenue cycle excellence. She is currently the President & CEO of Contemporary Medical Solutions.

Before starting Contemporary Medical Solutions, Carolyn worked for 30 years leading large revenue cycle teams. After a successful career supporting both small physician practices and large multi-specialty groups associated with a hospital, she now helps physicians maintain their independent practice by ensuring accurate and timely medical billing, up to date insurance contracts and credentialing with payers.

Carolyn is based in the Phoenix area with her husband and daughter. She enjoys camping and sewing in her spare time.

Carolyn is available to support your revenue cycle needs and offers free consultations. You can reach Carolyn at 717.557.5257 or [email protected].

00:00:00 - Understanding the Revenue Cycle

00:02:15 - Impact of Large Organizations

00:05:53 - Patient-Provider Relationship

00:09:46 - Responsibility in Billing

00:12:55 - Pitfalls and Contract Awareness

00:14:12 - Timely Filing Limits and Payment Delays

00:15:34 - Interacting with Insurance Companies

00:16:50 - Understanding Insurance Company Requests

00:19:29 - Impact of Insurance Contracting and Credentialing

00:24:21 - The Significance of Payer Enrollment

00:27:50 - Navigating Insurance Company Relationships

00:29:31 - When to Seek Help

00:31:00 - Shifting Perspectives on Interactions

00:33:43 - Key Learnings in Revenue Cycle Management

00:37:33 - Future Resources for Providers and Patients

Many of us feel powerless with the rise of corporate medicine. Our guest today decided to take her power back and reject this concept. She seemed like the least likely person to do so, given that she is a single mother by choice and without a ton of resources. She decided that practicing medicine on her terms was more important than the financial promises these large companies are selling. Aligning her career with her values made the most sense to her.

Embarking on this new path, she discovered that she did not need the guarantees that were offered. She is able to secure her own future.

Dr. Ritha Belizaire is a dual board certified general and colorectal surgeon in Houston, Texas and is passionate about providing accessible, inclusive surgical care. After several years of employment, she made her departure from academics, fueled by burnout and a sense of devaluation within the system.

She opened her own practice, Houston Community Surgical, in July 2023. In the transition from academics to self employment, she has borne witness to the epidemic of physician burnout, depression and anxiety caused by increasing demands on physicians to make money for their institutions while having less and less personal and professional autonomy and leading to a mass exodus of physicians from the medical profession.

Concerned for the future of fellow physicians and of healthcare in America, Dr. Belizaire shares insights into her transformative journey of reclaiming control over her professional and personal life. She hopes that her story of challenging the status quo can offer some hope for physicians seeking a path to fulfillment in their medical careers.

00:00:00 - Introducing Dr. Ritha Belizaire

00:01:06 - Recognizing the Need for Change

00:07:14 - Seeking Agency and Freedom

00:09:22 - Finding Her "Why"

00:11:50 - Self-Investment and Guaranteed Success

00:13:56 - Overcoming Limiting Beliefs in Residency Training

00:15:00 - Recognizing Physicians as Commodities

00:17:13 - Navigating Agency in the Healthcare System

00:18:25 - The Journey to Entrepreneurship

00:21:07 - Surprising Lessons in Entrepreneurship

00:27:56 - Balancing Personal Passion with Professional Responsibilities

00:29:19 - Overcoming Overwhelm and Prioritizing Tasks

00:30:38 - Building a Fence Around Your Dreams

00:33:25 - Overcoming Feeling Stuck and Empowering Change

00:35:06 - Inspiring Others in the Medical Field

Have you noticed that being a physician these days is like many voices screaming into the void?

What if we could gather together as one loud voice? 

Is it time to start forming unions? 

My guest Dr. Junaid Niazi is part of the largest physician unions that formed recently. He was initially hesitant about what unions would bring, but the idea that real change in physician work flows and physician wellness. 

“They may have had some negative images or ideas of what a union is based on other unions and seeing those unions function, but again, a union is what the people make it out to be just like our democracy as a whole. So our democracy only works as well as the people who are running it are. ” - Dr. Junaid Niazi 

Does the thought of unionization make you nervous? Maybe it’s time to dive deeper. Join me today with Dr. Junaid Niazi as we explore the benefits of physician unionization as a way forward to gain more respect, value and financial security for clinicians.

“What recourse is there when medicine's getting so corporatized, and decisions are being made from spreadsheets?” 

-Dr. Junaid Niazi

Have you heard the myths that women exaggerate their pain, that men are better suited for leadership positions in healthcare, and that women are more emotional and therefore less capable in the medical field?

Our guest, Maggie Brooke, will share the truth about gender bias in the medical field and how we can work towards equality.

“Women physicians receive more complaints: Complaints from other staff, from patients, and more negative interpretations of typical interactions. It's a real challenge to combat.” - Dr. Maggie Brooke

Magdalene (Maggie) Brooke, MD FACS is a full spectrum community and academic surgeon working in Denver, Colorado. Her primary interests are surgical education and providing excellent, up-to-date surgical care to vulnerable populations in the Denver safety net system. She is married to another physician in a procedural field and the mother of two young children. She is an artist, an avid reader, and a lifelong proud feminist. She has no academic expertise in the field of equity in healthcare, but rather is a female surgeon doing her best to support the ongoing growth of gender equity within her field. Her views are her own and not those of her department or institution. 

00:00:00 - Introduction to the Book "Invisible Women"

00:03:59 - Recognizing Gender Bias

00:08:25 - Stereotypes in Surgery

00:12:10 - The Impact of Gender Diversity

00:13:35 - Support for Parenthood in Medicine

00:15:14 - Gender Equality and Family Leave Policies

00:16:01 - Biologic Realities of Childbearing

00:17:05 - Balancing Work and Family Responsibilities

00:18:57 - Thoughtful Implementation of Policies

00:23:08 - Gender Bias and Microaggressions in Medicine

00:31:16 - Gender Bias in Interactions

00:32:08 - Challenging Gender Bias

00:35:12 - Pervasive Gender Bias

00:36:53 - Dealing with Gender Bias

00:43:14 - Making Invisible Work Visible

00:44:59 - Redefining Societal Expectations

00:46:16 - Establishing Boundaries

00:48:11 - Effective Communication

00:49:37 - Gender Bias in the Workplace

00:53:22 - Ergonomics and Equipment Challenges

00:58:06 - Gender Bias in Healthcare

00:58:49 - Benefits of Diversity

00:59:16 - Conclusion and Recommendations

00:59:34 - Book Recommendation

01:00:00 - Additional Resources

Dr. Ferrada joins me today to talk about her remarkable journey to become a surgeon. She faced countless barriers including moving to the US, having her first categorical slot go way, gender bias, and the common trials of learning to be a surgeon. She thrived on what she describes as "pathologic optimism," which is truly evident in her positive outlook and determination despite the many obstacles she has encountered. She has shifted her career into leadership and inspiring the next generation. She is a true leader in the change that needs to happen in medicine, and surgery culture in particular. 

“It takes courage to change the status quo.” -Paula Ferrada

Key Takeaways:

My special guest today is Dr. Paula Ferrada.

Dr. Paula Ferrada MD. FACS. FCCM. MAMSE., currently serves as the Division and system chief for Acute Care surgery and Trauma for the Inova healthcare system and contuse to serve as  an educator as well as a professor of Medical Education for the University of Virginia.

She is a Colombian born female Surgeon-Leader. She is an internationally recognized advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion.

You can discover more about Paula Ferrada at the following links:

The key moments in this episode are:

Have you heard these inheritance myths?
Myth #1: My parents don't need a will because everything will automatically go to me.
Myth #2: Inheritance planning is only for wealthy families.
Myth #3: I'll figure out the details after my parents pass away.

In this episode, Chad Holmes will debunk these myths and reveal the truth about effective inheritance planning for adult children with aging parents.

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest is Chad Holmes.

Chad runs a boutique financial planning firm serving multigenerational families from all over the country that seek to minimize taxes and maximize legacies. As an expert in his field, his advice has been published in various outlets, including The Wall Street Journal. At Formula Wealth, Chad offers flat fee engagements as a fiduciary advisor—no products to sell or commissions to earn. Chad enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with his wife and daughters outside of work.

Click the links below to discover more about Chad and The Inheritance Playbook

The key moments in this episode are:

Do you want to gain greater self-awareness and acquire practical tools to overcome burnout in your private practice? Look no further, because I have the solution you've been searching for. In this discussion, our guest, Sogol Pahlavan, will be sharing invaluable insights and strategies to help you achieve a renewed sense of well-being and combat burnout effectively. Get ready to unlock the secrets to achieving a healthier work-life balance and reignite your passion for your private practice.

My special guest is Sogol Pahlavan

Meet Dr. Sogol Pahlavan, a dynamic pediatrician and entrepreneur who knows firsthand the ups and downs of private practice. Growing up as a first-generation immigrant in Texas, Dr. Pahlavan was inspired by her family's entrepreneurial spirit. With a natural inclination for communication and a love for children, she found her calling in pediatrics. Together with her sister, she took the leap and established their own clinic, even though many doubted the profitability of serving the Medicaid community. However, Dr. Pahlavan's determination and passion led to a thriving practice in an underserved Hispanic community. Along her journey, she encountered burnout and realized that blaming external factors wouldn't solve the problem. Instead, she delved into self-reflection and discovered the importance of addressing the internal manager that constantly berates us with self-sabotaging thoughts. Dr. Pahlavan's story is a testament to the possibilities of private practice and the power of overcoming burnout with self-awareness and resilience.

If you are drawn to something, if your soul is calling for you to connect and do something that's completely outside the box that no one has ever done, don't listen to them. Follow your soul's calling, because if it is aligned with what you truly want, the universe will make it happen. - Sogol Pahlavan

In this episode, you will be able to:

Explore practical strategies to combat burnout in private practice.

Embrace unconventional career paths while following your passion.

Learn effective methods to build a profitable private practice.

Recognize burnout as a transformative and personal journey.

Master the importance of self-leadership in your business.

What happens when a gynecologist leaves the security of a corporate job to start a cash-based surgery practice? Dr. Cheruba Prabakar shares her journey of determination, networking, and collaboration, finding fulfillment in practicing medicine on her own terms. But just when success seems within reach, a shocking moment leaves her questioning everything. What will happen next? Find out in this episode of the BOSS Business of Surgery Series Podcast.

In this episode:

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introduction

00:00:30 - Reflection on the First Year

00:02:07 - Motivation and Goals

00:04:29 - Embracing Change

00:04:57 - Challenges and Lessons Learned

00:15:21 - The Bold Step of a Cash-Based Gynecology Practice

00:16:40 - Leveraging Transferable Skills and Flexibility

00:18:07 - Thinking Creatively and Overcoming Conditioning 00:19:52 - Entrepreneurship as an Antidote to Burnout

00:21:12 - Overcoming Patient Objections and Providing Value

A high-flying surgeon confronts the crushing reality of divorce, as he strives to shatter the facade of perfection, repair broken relationships, and find redemption amidst the wreckage of his personal and professional life.

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest today is Paul Michaud.

Paul is a father to 5 sons, Radiologist, Certified Physician Executive, and executive leadership coach. He served in the Army for over 13 years where he earned a reputation of creating exceptional work environments for his teammates and developing innovative leadership models for the organizations he has served.

Notable past leadership positions include Chair, Department of Radiology, Chief Medical Officer, and Consultant to the Army Surgeon General. Paul currently serves as Professor of Radiology at West Virginia University, where he is pursuing his passion for teaching and developing the next generation of leaders.

He is also an organizational leadership and executive coach with a particular interest in optimizing work environments and helping individuals navigate challenging life experiences such as trauma, divorce, and transitions in their career path.

Find out more about Paul here: 

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:00 - The Perception of Perfection at Work

00:03:24 - Helping Others Going Through Divorce

00:06:57 - Acknowledging Imperfections

00:08:28 - The Long Process of Divorce

00:15:34 - Managing the Process on Your Own Terms

00:17:30 - Taking Responsibility and Apologizing

00:18:30 - Kids' Awareness and the Healing Process

00:20:22 - Recognizing When to Take a Break

00:23:10 - Responsibility vs. Blame

00:30:58 - Addressing the Abscess and Teaching Kids

00:32:15 - Allowing Kids to Make Mistakes

00:34:24 - Apologizing and Acknowledging Mistakes

00:36:38 - Finding Joy in Children's Success

00:40:21 - Identity Crisis and Overcoming Obstacles

In the world of leadership, sometimes the most unexpected individuals rise to the occasion and make a profound impact.

Picture this: a diagnostic radiologist turned military leader. It's a twist that no one saw coming, and yet, it had far-reaching effects on his career and those around him. But how did he navigate the challenges of leadership? How did he inspire his team to greater heights?

There's a powerful story waiting to be told, so stay tuned to discover the surprising journey of this remarkable leader.

“If we can address that thing, all these other things that we're trying to fight in the hospital get better.” - Paul Michaud

In this episode, you will be able to:

My special guest today is Paul Michaud.

Paul is a father to 5 sons, Radiologist, Certified Physician Executive, and executive leadership coach. He served in the Army for over 13 years where he earned a reputation of creating exceptional work environments for his teammates and developing innovative leadership models for the organizations he has served.

Notable past leadership positions include Chair, Department of Radiology, Chief Medical Officer, and Consultant to the Army Surgeon General. Paul currently serves as Professor of Radiology at West Virginia University, where he is pursuing his passion for teaching and developing the next generation of leaders.

He is also an organizational leadership and executive coach with a particular interest in optimizing work environments and helping individuals navigate challenging life experiences such as trauma, divorce, and transitions in their career path.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:01:25 - Becoming a Leader

00:04:09 - Goal as a Chief Medical Officer

00:07:01 - Autonomy and Productivity

00:09:54 - Trusting and Supporting Staff

00:14:10 - Leading with Transparency

00:18:10 - Handling Conflicts and Complaints

00:19:46 - Shifting Perspective: Complaints as Opportunities

00:22:13 - The Power of Communication and Feedback

00:24:02 - Autonomy and Individualized Approaches

00:29:10 - Addressing Concerns Professionally

00:29:59 - Importance of Near Misses

00:32:22 - Understanding Adverse Outcomes

00:33:59 - Personal Struggles Impacting Work

00:37:48 - Acknowledging Personal Struggles

00:44:00 - Career Decision and Loss of Identity

00:46:04 - Letting Go and Alignment

00:47:36 - The Arrival Fallacy and Integrity

00:50:44 - Inertia and Working in Alignment

00:54:51 - Finding the Right Fit