CASE STUDY
Health system finds financial footing by rethinking rev cycle.
Ensemble partnership increases POS collections 500% and reduces AR > 90 days by 67%.
SNAPSHOT
After a turnover in revenue cycle leadership, a Midwestern health system missed net revenue targets. Operations were disorganized and there was a disconnect and lack of alignment with hospital leadership. Eager to regain footing, the health system engaged Ensemble for complete management of the revenue cycle.
Through Ensemble’s leadership, implementation of best-practice processes and staff training, POS collections increased by 500%, unbilled days dropped by 50% and AR aged over 90 days decreased by 67%.
PROFILE
- Nonprofit health system
- < $800M NPR
- Midwest
- End-to-end RCM partner since March 2018
Challenges
Ensemble’s evaluation of the system’s revenue cycle highlighted a general lack of awareness among departments regarding the upstream and downstream impacts of their activities. It also uncovered inefficiencies in workflows and identified that reporting processes were either inadequate or absent. Additionally, patients were not sufficiently informed about their financial responsibilities. These operational shortcomings led to high initial denials and write-offs, low point-of-service collections and considerable payment delays.
Solutions
The health system engaged Ensemble to fully manage their revenue cycle operations. By leveraging AI-infused intelligence, refining processes and applying industry expertise, we swiftly enhanced operations and optimized structure, performance and results. The partnership:
Ensemble quickly filled gaps in staff and technology and implemented best practice processes, including:
- Enhanced communication and transparency, breaking down siloed operations
- Reconciled and established dynamic reporting to monitor key performance indicators
- Trained front-office staff on point-of-service collection methodologies and patient education strategies
- Implemented daily charge reconciliation, with a focus on reducing late charges and addressing coding backlogs
Results
POS collections
AR > 90 days
underpayments
unbilled days