HEI Client Wins 2009 HFMA Patient Friendly Billing Award

HEI Customer Wins HFMA High Performance in Revenue Cycle Award

The High Performance in Revenue Cycle Award was formally presented at 2009's ANI: The Healthcare Finance Conference in Seattle, WA.

The following organizations were recognized for their revenue cycle achievements:

• Baptist Hospital of Miami (Ralph Lawson)
• CHRISTUS St. John's Hospital (Tom Permetti, Cassandra Hogans)
• Carolinas Medical Center (Oren Wyatt, Kathy Rhyne)
• Henry County Health Center (Dave Muhs)
• Oaklawn Hospital (Colleen Koppenhaver)
• Redmond Regional Medical Center (Mary Mirabelli)
• Sharp Grossmont Hospital (Kari Cornicelli)
• Spectrum Health (Tracy McKnight)
• Touchette Regional Hospital (John Majchrzak)
• The Valley Hospital (Josette Mellillo)

About the Award

The Healthcare Financial Management Association is recognizing outstanding hospitals with a new High Performance in the Revenue Cycle Award. Meeting or exceeding the award criteria not only helps confirm sound fiscal responsibility, but also is a meaningful measure of positive patient experience. Financial communication is one of the primary indicators of overall patient satisfaction in hospitals. It is becoming increasingly important in an environment where self pay and higher deductibles are the reality for an ever increasing number of citizens.

HFMA began its evaluation by first ensuring that all hospitals being considered met high patient quality and satisfaction measures, as well as, financial performance measures. The field was narrowed in the second screening to 150 hospitals from across the country. They were then measured for high performing revenue cycle processes. In the final phase of evaluation, remaining hospitals underwent onsite interviews with HFMA to confirm high performance, innovation, and PATIENT FRIENDLY BILLING adoption. Of this group, 11 hospitals have received the award to-date.

Richard L. Clarke, DHA, FHFMA, President & CEO of HFMA, said "The process of being selected for the High Performance in Revenue Cycle Award is stringent. The revenue cycle achievements of recognized hospitals are important because sound revenue cycle management helps ensure the larger mission of these healthcare organizations. Additionally, it allows all participating hospitals the opportunity to share best practices and improve their revenue cycle performance."