Collaboration and Teamwork
Building a Future-Ready RCM Workforce
RCM Education: A Sound Investment in Turbulent Times
Collaboration and Teamwork
RCM training breaks down silos between billing and coding specialists, documentation specialists, and patient access specialists. When staff members understand each other’ s roles and responsibilities in revenue cycle management, they collaborate more effectively to achieve shared goals.
Because of their limited RCM training, clinicians particularly struggle with accurate billing documentation, often leading to underpayment or unfulfilled reimbursement. In the past, such errors were accepted as a“ cost of doing business.” However, leaving money on the table is no longer an option, and clinicians must build a solid understanding of their role in the RCM process. A recent research article published in the National Library of Medicine articulates the importance of a strong partnership between clinicians and their administrative counterparts in RCM management. It states that“ optimizing RCM improves patient experience, reduces the time between submission of claims and payment, eliminates fraud at both the coding and patient levels, and increases cash flow, all of which create a financially stable clinical practice.” Moreover, structured RCM training can boost staff morale and job satisfaction.
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The organizations that win the talent war are the ones that equip employees with education to win in their own careers. When employees see their growth reflected in certifications and badges, they don’ t just work for a paycheck— they work for a purpose.
Beth Ottinger, RN, BSN, CPC, CCS, PMC-III, ICD-10-CM / PCS Trainer VP, Product Management, Education FinThrive, a HealthStream partner
Building a Future-Ready RCM Workforce
Below are six essential strategies to ensure staff members develop the skills needed to excel:
1. Onboarding and continuous learning Through dedicated onboarding and training programs, health systems reinforce a culture of lifelong learning, boosting employee engagement while demonstrating the organization’ s investment in staff development.
2. Empowering career growth and retention A structured career ladder program encourages employees to explore different RCM career paths, improving staff retention, engagement, and job satisfaction.
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