Coffee with Coker

Marissa Maldonado joins Mark to discuss preventing data breaches by adopting cybersecurity best practices. Marissa and Mark talk about the motivation of malicious groups, recent data breaches, and the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) for healthcare providers.

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Episode Synopsis

Mark and Marissa discuss the different types of cybercriminals and hackers, their motivations, and recent attacks affecting both hospitals and independent practices. Medical practices, small or large, are a wealth of information and often behind the times in the technology realm, which makes them perfect targets for cybercriminals.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently published the article, "Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices: Managing Threats and Protecting Patients," which identifies five threats affecting physician practices and ten technical best practices to mitigate these threats. Marissa and Mark discuss the difference between threats, vulnerabilities, impact, and best practices for cybersecurity.

Extras

Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP)

Blog: The Dangers of an Unstable IT Infrastructure

Blog: Why IT Assessments are Beneficial

Twitter: Cybersecurity Information and Tips

Follow Marissa on Twitter (@marissanado)

Connect with Marissa on LinkedIn

Today's episode is an interview with Jeffery Daigrepont, SVP in our Healthcare IT Services division, conducted with Morgan Hefner, VP of Sales at MobileSmith Health, a healthcare technology mobile solution. Jeffery and Morgan discuss the advantages of using a mobile platform to disrupt healthcare in your system before someone else does.

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Subscribe to our feed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Like what you hear? Leave a review! Not there? Let us know!

We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues that interest you. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
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Episode Synopsis

Disruption in healthcare is a trend that has received much media coverage in the past year, in particular with the recent entry of large corporate companies such as Amazon and Apple into the healthcare space. Consumerism is finally catching up to healthcare delivery, and it's an important time to adopt newer technologies to transform healthcare in the United States.

Extras

MobileSmith Health website

MobileSmith Health Contact Information

Follow Jeffery (@daigrepont)

Connect on LinkedIn (/jeffery-daigrepont-822a853/)

During the 2019 State of the Union Address, much was said about the state of healthcare in the country and President Trump's agenda for lowering costs across various sectors of the industry. One item will be critical for hospitals and providers moving forward: the call for price transparency. Taylor Harrison and Mark Reiboldt present three key objectives for price transparency taken from the State of the Union Address.

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We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues that interest you. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
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Episode Synopsis

Price transparency is not a new initiative, and one that has significant bipartisan support – in fact, it was one of the few items last night that received applause from both sides of the aisle. Price transparency is a trend we have seen increase greatly as a strategic initiative for hospitals and practices alike over the last few years. Not only does this have bipartisan support and has been a key initiative for CMS in recent years, it is also a strong indicator of the push toward more consumer-driven healthcare. Patients are no longer uninformed consumers and are doing their part to demand transparency in their care – both in terms of price and quality.

Three Key Objectives for Price Transparency

1. IT Infrastructure Needs
2. ASC/Outpatient Potential
3. Participation in Value-Based Reimbursement (VBR)

At Coker, we help our clients respond to VBR and the associated price transparency demands. Through our ValuePath™ services, Coker Group is dedicated to helping our clients navigate the world of VBR, which spans a wide range of potential solutions, including overarching strategic planning, vetting of software, financial analysis, and operational performance improvements. Value-based care is imminent and important, regardless of how it gets there. Whether through government-sponsored programs such as MACRA and MIPS or consumer pressure, it will affect healthcare organizations.

It's never too early to take measures to prepare for an industry trend that will inevitably affect your organization in the long run. If your organization is in need of assistance, please contact us today and we will be happy to discuss how Coker Group will help you work towards a solution.

Roz Cordini and Jeannie Cagle join Mark to discuss the importance of coding and documentation. Roz, Jeannie, and Mark talk about the need for an effective compliance program and the use of a coding audit as an educational tool for healthcare providers.

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Subscribe to our feed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Like what you hear? Leave a review! Not there? Let us know!

We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues that interest you. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
• Follow us on Twitter: @cokergroup
• Follow us on Instagram: @cokergroup

Episode Synopsis

Mark, Roz and Jeannie discuss the purpose of incorporating regular coding audits into a comprehensive compliance plan. Investing in the time and energy to create an atmosphere of proactive education and support will lead to more accurate billing and coding which reduces the risk of fraud and abuse concerns.

Roz and Jeannie highlight the importance of defining a compliance plan and the common issues discovered when performing a coding audit. They also emphasize the importance of continually educating providers and the changes to documentation after the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule.

Extras

White Paper: An Effective Approach to Coding and Compliance Auditing and Education

Article: The Tone at the Top Sets the Standard for an Effective Compliance Program

Article: Just When You Think You've Heard It All: CMS's Proposal for an E/M Makeover

Podcast: Changes to Reimbursement from CMS for CY 2019

Follow Roz on Twitter (@RozCordini_CG)

Connect with Roz on LinkedIn

Connect with Jeannie on LinkedIn

Roz Cordini, Brandt Jewell, and Alex Kirkland join Mark for a webinar to discuss the Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP). The discussion was recorded live during its presentation on January 24, 2019.

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Subscribe to our feed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Like what you hear? Leave a review! Not there? Let us know!

We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues that interest you. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
• Follow us on Twitter: @cokergroup
• Follow us on Instagram: @cokergroup

Webinar Description

As part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), the Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) was established and consists of two participation pathways for clinicians: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (Advanced APMs). CMS has been gradually implementing the full scope of MACRA over the past three years, and January 1, 2019, marks the beginning of MIPS adjustments to Medicare Part B fee-for-service revenue. The panel discussion will focus on identifying potential pain points for healthcare organizations as a result of MACRA and review key changes for CY 2019 as outlined in the final rule.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the potential pain points of full MACRA implementation and outline the first steps organizations should take to alleviate issues.
• Review the final rule for the quality payment program and how these changes impact APMs and MIPS.
• Discuss the impact E/M changes will have on reimbursement and physician compensation.

Extras

Webinar Recording

Handout - Presentation Slides

Roz Cordini, Aimee Greeter, Brandt Jewell, Stephen Ross, and Chris Torregosa join Mark to share their thoughts on current healthcare industry trends and where the industry is heading in 2019. The discussion was recorded live during its presentation to the company as part of the 2018 Coker Group annual meeting.

Contact Information

Subscribe to our feed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Like what you hear? Leave a review! Not there? Let us know!

We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues that interest you. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
• Follow us on Twitter: @cokergroup
• Follow us on Instagram: @cokergroup

About the Panelists

• Roz focuses on coding, clinical documentation and compliance services for hospitals, health systems and physician practices, and helps organizations develop or update their compliance programs and establish remote compliance officer services for smaller facilities.
• Aimee specializes in hospital-physician alignment, accountable care responsiveness, hospital service line development, clinical integration initiatives, strategic planning, executive compensation, mergers and collaborations, operational issues, and financial management.
• Brandt's concentration is on delivering value across the ambulatory enterprise and has extensive experience assessing executive leadership, physician alignment strategies, operational efficiency, financial stability, organizational structures, and competitive landscapes for health systems across the country.
• Stephen specializes in assisting healthcare organizations in the areas of hospital-physician alignment transactions, compensation valuation work, compensation plan redesign, strategic business planning and operational/financial performance improvement.
• Chris works on a variety of high-level consulting projects assisting clients in technology assessments and selection, providing guidance and solutions and execution of strategic project deliverables to coordinate, guide, and advance EHR adoption and use.

Extras

Follow Roz on Twitter (@RozCordini_CG)

Connect with Roz on LinkedIn

Follow Aimee on Twitter (@AimeeGreeter_CG)

Connect with Aimee on LinkedIn

Follow Brandt on Twitter (@brandtjewell)

Connect with Brandt on LinkedIn

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Aimee Greeter and Taylor Harrison join Mark to discuss the importance of prioritizing new strategic initiatives as the healthcare industry continues to evolve. Aimee, Taylor, and Mark talk about the importance of strategic planning—and the process for strategic planning--as the healthcare industry changes.

Contact Information

Subscribe to our feed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Like what you hear? Leave a review! Not there? Let us know!

We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues that interest you. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
• Follow us on Twitter: @cokergroup
• Follow us on Instagram: @cokergroup

Talking Points

1. Evolution of the Healthcare Industry
   • Volume-to-Value
   • Consolidation
   • Consumerism
2. Goals of Strategic Planning
   • Review current issues
   • Develop a SWOT analysis
   • Establish a vision
   • Identify strategies and tactics for achieving the vision
   • Communicate the goals of the organization
3. Primary Focus Areas for Strategic Planning
   • Macro-Environment Factors
   • Market Factors
   • Internal Factors
4. The Strategic Planning Process

Extras

Follow Aimee on Twitter (@AimeeGreeter_CG)

Connect with Aimee on LinkedIn

Connect with Taylor on LinkedIn

Craig Hunter, Jeannie Cagle, Kay Stanley, and Max Reiboldt join Mark to share the history of Coker Group and how the firm was founded. The discussion was recorded live during its presentation to the company as part of the 2018 Coker Group annual meeting.

Contact Information

Subscribe to our feed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Like what you hear? Leave a review! Not there? Let us know!

We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues that interest you. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
• Follow us on Twitter: @cokergroup
• Follow us on Instagram: @cokergroup

The History

Established by Jackson C. Coker in 1987, Coker Group began as a physician relations firm whose purpose was to develop and enhance the relationships between hospitals and their medical staffs. The newly founded company moved into its first offices in 1988 with a small team from Atlanta and California. With extraordinary success and a growing list of hospital clients, Coker strengthened its footing through a focus on building hospital and physician relations through educating physicians and their staffs to improve their operational processes and enhance their business models. Delivering educational programs and assistance with medical practice management became the business model for this young company. Coker began to memorialize its expertise in the mid-'90s through the publication of materials to enhance practice operations and financial management. Through the years, Coker has worked with national associations and other healthcare societies and entities to complement the work of its consultants with hospitals and physicians.

Under the strong leadership of Max Reiboldt, upon Jack Coker's retirement in the mid-1990s, Coker Group continued to respond to the needs of hospitals and physicians as healthcare transitioned from one reimbursement paradigm to another through the late 1990s and beyond. During this period, the firm shifted its emphasis from the original physician relations' services to become a full-fledged healthcare advisory firm. Through its history, the firm has met the complexity and expansion in healthcare that has occurred into the 21st Century. Coker Group holds a notable position as leading business advisors to the healthcare industry, assisting with complex negotiations between hospitals and physicians. Through five main services areas--strategy, operations, finance, technology, and compliance--the firm's mission is still to provide healthcare organizations with innovative, principled solutions to achieve their optimum level of productivity.

Join us on January 24, 2019, at 2:00 pm, for the live panel discussion, One Month into MACRA!

As part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), the Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) was established and consists of two participation pathways for clinicians: Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (Advanced APMs). CMS has gradually implemented the full scope of MACRA over the past three years, and January 1, 2019, marks the beginning of MIPS adjustments to Medicare Part B fee-for-service revenue. The panel discussion will focus on identifying potential pain points for healthcare organizations as a result of MACRA and review key changes for CY2019 as outlined in the final rule.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the potential pain points of full MACRA implementation and outline the first steps organizations should take to alleviate issues.
• Review the final rule for the quality payment program and how these changes impact APMs and MIPS.
• Discuss the impact E/M changes will have on reimbursement and physician compensation.

Sign-Up for the Live Event today!

Extras

Pictures and Tweets from #CokerLive2018

Follow Craig on Twitter

Follow Max on Twitter

Connect with Craig on LinkedIn

Connect with Jeannie on LinkedIn

Connect with Kay on LinkedIn

Connect with Max on LinkedIn

Brandt Jewell and Alex Kirkland join Mark to discuss the final rule from CMS last month announcing changes to the physician fee schedule for 2019. Brandt and Alex provide their input on the changes that have been announced and what it means for physician practices.

Contact Information

Subscribe to our feed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Like what you hear? Leave a review! Not there? Let us know!

We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues in which you have an interest. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
• Follow us on Twitter: @cokergroup
• Follow us on Instagram: @cokergroup

Episode Synopsis

On November 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) on or after January 1, 2019.

Key Points from the Final Rule

• One of the payment provisions announced involved streamlining evaluation and management payment and reducing clinician burden.
• Beginning in CY 2021, payment for E/M office/outpatient visits will be simplified and payment would vary primarily based on attributes that do not require separate, complex documentation.
• After consideration of concerns raised by commenters in response to the proposed rule, CMS is not finalizing aspects of the proposal that would have:
  • Reduced payment when E/M office/outpatient visits are furnished on the same day as procedures;
  • Established separate coding and payment for podiatric E/M visits;
  • Standardized the allocation of practice expense RVUs for the codes that describe these services.

Brandt and Alex will also be hosting a webinar on January 24, 2019 that will cover, in part, the potential ramifications for physicians and healthcare organizations. Learn more and sign-up for the live event today!

Extras

Final Policy on Payment and Quality Provision Changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CY 2019

Follow Brandt on Twitter

Connect with Brandt on LinkedIn

Follow Alex on Twitter

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn

Jessica Combs joins Mark to in a Q&A style discussion to address recent questions on healthcare trends. Mark addresses each question on various topics including private equity interest in healthcare, the opioid crisis, neutral site payments, healthcare technology, and revenue cycle management.

Questions

1. We have heard much discussion in the media and throughout this election season on the opioid crisis, but I'm curious if this is something of a significant impact yet on physicians and medical groups or hospitals. Have you observed any specific instances where the talk in the media and Washington has resulted in major changes – positive or negative – for healthcare entities?
2. We have been monitoring the issue of "neutral site payments" all year, as this could have a significant impact on hospital payments for those entities that have spent a lot of time and dollars investing in outpatient services. Can you comment on what has happened with this matter and perhaps make any predictions for how the results of the midterm elections could influence the outcome on this issue?
3. In listening to your episode on what hospital boards should be thinking about concerning healthcare technology, we have been paying a lot of attention to the frequent stories that emerge about fines and legal issues (not to mention PR concerns) that many hospitals are dealing with in protecting records, maintaining security in the information systems, and lacking appropriate documentation. However, there are so many facets of protecting data that an organization like a hospital – even a relatively small, rural community hospital – must consider that it's challenging to think about where to start. How would you suggest a leadership team begin to confront this issue to ensure we have as much protection as possible from some of those risks?
4. Our organization has been struggling from revenue stagnation (and even drops in some cases) that we know are not tied to negative changes in payer contracts, fee schedule changes, expense management, or even the billing and collections component of the revenue cycle. So, we think the issue could be related to coding; however, in the past, our focus on coding has mainly been to ensure our providers are not up-coding. How could coding issues play into the broader revenue cycle management procedures?
5. As it has become commonplace to see hospitals buying physician groups, some local markets have seen significant shifts as a result of larger groups selling to hospitals. Meanwhile, new players, such as large corporate systems or groups backed by private equity investors are entering markets and competing with the hospitals for acquiring major physician groups, which can significantly shake up the dynamic between the physicians within those groups and the hospitals they interact with on a regular basis at a local level. My question is twofold: 1) Have you seen this take place; and, 2) how might this trend potentially shake up local healthcare markets more in the future? Can hospitals compete with outside players that bring significant financial resources to invest in such deals?

Extras

The Next Stage of Evolution in Physician Practice Transactions

Coffee with Coker Episode 17: Executives Beware: Five Questions Astute Boards are Asking about Healthcare IT

Follow Mark on Twitter

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

Join us on January 24, 2019, at 2:00 pm for the live panel discussion One Month into MACRA!

As part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), the Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) was established and consists of two participation pathways for clinicians: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (Advanced APMs). CMS has been gradually implementing the full scope of MACRA over the past three years, and January 1, 2019, marks the beginning of MIPS adjustments to Medicare Part B fee-for-service revenue. The panel discussion will focus on identifying potential pain points for healthcare organizations as a result of MACRA and review key changes for CY 2019 as outlined in the final rule.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the potential pain points of full MACRA implementation and outline the first steps organizations should take to alleviate issues.
• Review the final rule for the quality payment program and how these changes impact APMs and MIPS.
• Discuss the impact E/M changes will have on reimbursement and physician compensation.

Sign-Up for the Live Event today!

Contact Information

Subscribe to our feed in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast provider. Like what you hear? Leave a review! Not there? Let us know!

We welcome all feedback from our listeners. Please submit questions on any of the topics we discuss or questions about issues that interest you. You can also provide recommendations on topics for future episodes.

• Email us: [email protected]
• Connect with us on LinkedIn: Coker Group Company Page
• Follow us on Twitter: @cokergroup
• Follow us on Instagram: @cokergroup