University of Utah Health Shares Top Tip for Automation Success

Revenue cycle automation takes time, and as those at the University of Utah Health point out, you need to walk before you can run.

While time is always of the essence in the revenue cycle, implementing wider-scale change, like new processes and software, is better taken at a methodical pace.

Revenue cycle leaders at the University of Utah Health (U of U Health) successfully established an automated and streamlined audit process that identifies potential errors at the point of coding. When doing so, U of U Health was careful not to do too much too soon as it was imperative the workflow was right before getting too far.

Nancy Treacy, MPH, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, who helps oversee data integrity at U of U Health says that at least once in the process, it held off on implementing the next stage until issues were resolved and teams were truly ready to move on.

A timeline should be realistic and have a level of flexibility to it and taking time to slowly build on a new program has its perks that go beyond the organization.

The ultimate reason for automating and streamlining an audit process goes far beyond making the jobs of those in the revenue cycle easier, says Treacy.

"I believe coders and auditors are patient advocates. Patients are tasked with so much responsibility beyond focusing on getting well, and we help make sure they have a quality experience all the way to the end. With the proper tools and processes, we can ensure they get sent only one claim, helping to reduce confusion about what they can expect to pay. That's something we take seriously and are proud of," says Treacy.

Read more about U of U Health’s journey automating their audit process here.