​As healthcare continues to evolve, so too do the models that determine how providers are reimbursed for their services. With an increasing shift from procedure-based payments to those that rely heavily on diagnosis coding, ensuring your practice is prepared for these changes is essential for long-term success. The ICD-10-CM diagnosis code set, once considered secondary to procedure codes in reimbursement, is now playing a more central role, making precise documentation critical.

By: Briauna Driggers, Ron DiGiaimo, MBA, FACHE, Pamela Phipps, RN, BSN, CHONC, and Heather M. Nolting, RN, BSN, CHONC

​Oncology nursing is a unique specialty within the nursing profession. It involves not only the care of patients with cancer but also the management of complex treatment protocols and emotional support for patients and their families. With an estimated five million nurse shortage by 2025, onboarding new nurses effectively is more crucial than ever. Two seasoned oncology nurses on the RCCS team, Pamela Phipps and Heather Nolting, sat down with RCCS CEO Ron DiGiaimo and Content Marketing Manager Briauna Driggers to discuss the nuances of oncology nursing and provide advice for new and upcoming nurses to be successful in this challenging and rewarding career.

The first few years for a radiation therapist are unlike any other time in their career. They have learned a lot while earning their degree and obtaining their American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification. However, they are just starting to gain real experience with patient care.  

While patient care remains the top priority for radiation therapists, it’s important to acknowledge their involvement in charge capture and billing. Who is better than the person providing the services to the patient to capture the representative codes? Even if they’re not tasked with reporting billing codes or fully grasping billing intricacies, therapists bear the responsibility of doing their best to get it correct.  
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Preparing for a successful 2024 requires a proactive approach to healthcare operational excellence in the face of evolving challenges. In the dynamic healthcare landscape, successful organizations prioritize adaptability and strategic foresight. Whether through a comprehensive revenue cycle assessment or targeted coding education, forward-thinking healthcare entities are investing in strategies to optimize financial performance and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. This article explores RCCS’ solutions for success, emphasizing the significance of professional assessments and training initiatives in navigating the complexities of the upcoming year.

By: Juan Arredondo and Briauna Driggers

Medical coding serves as the backbone of healthcare reimbursement and compliance. Accurate coding ensures that healthcare providers receive appropriate reimbursement for services rendered and adhere to regulatory standards. In the realm of medical coding, one indispensable tool is the modifier. 
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Medical coding modifiers are alphanumeric characters added to procedure codes to provide additional information about a service or procedure. This article explores the definition of modifiers in medical coding, why they are vital, and when and how to employ them effectively.

​Now that the guidelines for off-campus provider-based departments (PBDs) have been in place for a few years, it might be tempting for organizations to overlook the need for ongoing internal audits of current PBDs and appropriate strategic planning for future ones. Ensuring the foundational processes in place are correct when considering opening new locations will go a long way in achieving success due to myriad operational requirements.

Copyright 2023 Compliance Today, a publication of the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA)

By: Briauna Driggers and Juan Arredondo

Healthcare compliance is crucial for patient safety, billing accuracy, and privacy protection. A well-designed compliance management program, supported by training, assessments, and guidelines, ensures adherence to local, state, and federal regulations. Comprehensive training empowers healthcare professionals to make responsible decisions and identify compliance risks. Ongoing assessments identify weaknesses and prompt improvements. Guidelines complement policies, streamlining compliance. Combining training, assessments, and guidelines creates a successful compliance program, promoting a culture of compliance and ethical behavior.

By: Briauna Driggers and Juan Arredondo

Regulations are crucial in promoting ethical and responsible business practices while safeguarding consumers, workers, and the public. In the healthcare industry, adherence to regulations is paramount, as non-compliance can have severe consequences, risking patients' lives and financial integrity.
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Compliance programs are essential tools that healthcare organizations utilize to ensure adherence to relevant laws and regulations, preventing fines and legal actions. A proactive compliance program is designed to detect and correct infractions swiftly, promoting patient well-being and organizational sustainability.

Republished with permission. © Relias. Originally written in April 2023 by Stacy Kusterbeck 
Edited by: Briauna Driggers

​​The healthcare industry is ever-changing, with an extremely complex revenue cycle process. Healthcare leaders face constant updates in regulations, billing rules, payer requirements, and technology. More likely than not, your staff needs continuous training to keep up with these important changes.

By: Briauna Driggers

The Medical Revenue Cycle is integral to any hospital or free-standing practice. We've discussed before how important accurate medical coding is and the impact it has on the Revenue Cycle, but what else impacts the success of revenue cycle management (RCM)? Let's talk about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and how they contribute to an efficient and effective revenue cycle.