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The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter 1 Chapter Officers: Mary Ackley, President Matt Morgan, President-Elect Will McCammon, Treasurer Tammy Trovatten, Secretary Terry Paff, Past President (ex-officio) Board of Directors: Barry Brown Sanjiv Datt Michele Earnhart Ramona Hernandez Ken Jensen Nicole Pedigo Laura Rehfeld Rogel Reyes Steve Smith Steve Thompson (ex- officio) Rosanne Wassom Wende Weckbacher President’s Message Mary Ackley, FHFMA Chapter President 2014-2015 It is an exciting time to be a part of the healthcare industry. During discussions at seminars and in articles in The Edge, the words “disruptive technology” and “the future of medicine” come up a lot. All of the changes we are experiencing are what makes this period so fascinating. An article in the New Yorker dated December 15, 2014, entitled One Woman’s Drive to Upend Medical Testing is a good example of disruptive change that has the ability to improve the lives of patients through dramatic cost reduction for blood work. Elizabeth Holmes, the CEO of Theranos, tells us the company has developed blood tests that can help detect dozens of medical conditions, from high cholesterol to cancer, based on a drop or two of blood drawn with a pinprick from your finger. The article continues to tell us that Theranos is working to make this testing available to several hospital systems and is in advanced discussions with the Cleveland Clinic. It has also opened centers in 41 Walgreens pharmacies, with plans to open thousands more. “From that one sample”, Holmes said, “several tests can be run—all less expensive than standard blood tests, sometimes as much as 90 percent below the rates that Medicare sets. A typical lab test for cholesterol can cost $50 or more; the Theranos test at Walgreens costs $2.99.” This type of innovation has the opportunity to make a dramatic impact on the existing structure. Twenty first century technology and the way people work has HFMA examining their infrastructure as well to position HFMA for continual high levels of performance and service to our members. There is work at present at the national level on a Chapter Volunteer Initiative Task Force to present a vision and a framework for a new HFMA. At the national as well as the chapter level, HFMA is making changes to remain relevant to their membership, bridging the gap between where we are and where we are going. Our Northern California team was dedicated this year to bringing you state of the art education information, emerging trends, legislative updates, topical discussions on ICD-10, AB1276, ACA and Medical Homes to name a few, as well as the opportunity to develop relationships with your peers and to participate as volunteers to give something back to the healthcare community. The mission was supported this year by the 2014-2015 Officers and Directors: The Edge April 2015 Fifth Issue - FY2014-15 IN THIS ISSUE Attendee feedback from the 2015 Spring Conference Reimbursement Ruminations What PFS-IT Model Exists In Your World? CMS New “X” Modifiers - Modifier 59 Variation Lancaster Pollard Releases White Paper on Recent Hospital Financings Politicians are Crazy! Early Careerist Overview Member on the Move Newly Certified Chapter Members Job Postings EDUCATION EVENTS (www.hfma-nca.org) April 30 — ACA/Covered California Webinar (Free!) May 14 — Annual HIMSS State HIT Day, Sacramento, CA June 5 — Early Careerist Event, Sacramento, CA June 11 — CHA Hospital and Finance Reimbursement Seminar, Sacramento, CA June 16 — CHA Hospital and Finance Reimbursement Seminar, Pasadena, CA June 17 — CHA Hospital and Finance Reimbursement Seminar, , Orange County, CA
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Page 1: The Edge April 2015 - Northern California Chapter of HFMA · Conference is a fantastic show to exhibit at, as the HFMA chapter is very vendor friendly, and there is a lot of opportunity

!!! ! !

The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter 1

Chapter Officers:!Mary Ackley, President!Matt Morgan, President-Elect!Will McCammon, Treasurer!Tammy Trovatten, Secretary!Terry Paff, Past President (ex-officio)

Board of Directors:!Barry Brown!Sanjiv Datt!Michele Earnhart!Ramona Hernandez!Ken Jensen!Nicole Pedigo!

Laura Rehfeld!Rogel Reyes!Steve Smith!Steve Thompson (ex-officio)!Rosanne Wassom!Wende Weckbacher!

President’s Message!Mary Ackley, FHFMA!Chapter President!2014-2015!!It is an exciting time to be a part of the healthcare industry. During discussions at seminars and in articles in The Edge, the words “disruptive technology” and “the future of medicine” come up a lot. All of the changes we are experiencing are what makes this period so fascinating.

An article in the New Yorker dated December 15, 2014, entitled One Woman’s Drive to Upend Medical Testing is a good example of disruptive change that has the ability to improve the lives of patients through dramatic cost reduction for blood work. Elizabeth Holmes, the CEO of Theranos, tells us the company has developed blood tests that can help detect dozens of medical conditions, from high cholesterol to cancer, based on a drop or two of blood drawn with a pinprick from your finger. The article continues to tell us that Theranos is working to make this testing available to several hospital systems and is in advanced discussions with the Cleveland Clinic. It has also opened centers in 41 Walgreens pharmacies, with plans to open thousands more. “From that one sample”, Holmes said, “several tests can be run—all less expensive than standard blood tests, sometimes as much as 90 percent below the rates that Medicare sets. A typical lab test for cholesterol can cost $50 or more; the Theranos test at Walgreens costs $2.99.” This type of innovation has the opportunity to make a dramatic impact on the existing structure.!

Twenty first century technology and the way people work has HFMA examining their infrastructure as well to position HFMA for continual high levels of performance and service to our members. There is work at present at the national level on a Chapter Volunteer Initiative Task Force to present a vision and a framework for a new HFMA.!

At the national as well as the chapter level, HFMA is making changes to remain relevant to their membership, bridging the gap between where we are and where we are going. Our Northern California team was dedicated this year to bringing you state of the art education information, emerging trends, legislative updates, topical discussions on ICD-10, AB1276, ACA and Medical Homes to name a few, as well as the opportunity to develop relationships with your peers and to participate as volunteers to give something back to the healthcare community. The mission was supported this year by the 2014-2015 Officers and Directors:

! !

The EdgeApril 2015!Fifth Issue - FY2014-15

IN THIS ISSUE

• Attendee feedback from the 2015 Spring Conference

• Reimbursement Ruminations

• What PFS-IT Model Exists In Your World?

• CMS New “X” Modifiers - Modifier 59 Variation

• Lancaster Pollard Releases White Paper on Recent Hospital Financings

• Politicians are Crazy!

• Early Careerist Overview

• Member on the Move

• Newly Certified Chapter Members

• Job Postings

EDUCATION EVENTS (www.hfma-nca.org)

• April 30 — ACA/Covered California Webinar (Free!)

• May 14 — Annual HIMSS State HIT Day, Sacramento, CA

• June 5 — Early Careerist Event, Sacramento, CA

• June 11 — CHA Hospital and Finance Reimbursement Seminar, Sacramento, CA

• June 16 — CHA Hospital and Finance Reimbursement Seminar, Pasadena, CA

• June 17 — CHA Hospital and Finance Reimbursement Seminar, , Orange County, CA

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" The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter2

My thanks to the team for reaching towards and achieving the mission. To date it looks like we will meet our annual Chapter Balanced Scoreboard metrics at 100%, in membership growth, education hours per member, cash on hand, member satisfaction, and meeting all deadlines for reporting and publishing the stated number of our newsletter, The Edge. I want to acknowledge in the upcoming 2015-2016 chapter year, the Region 11 Executive is from our Northern California Chapter, Charles “Chuck” Acquisto. Chuck’s volunteerism to the Northern California Chapter includes many years of service as President, Past President, Executive Officer, Board Member, Committee Chair and Region 11 Symposium Core member. This is not an exhaustive list of Chuck’s service. The many areas in which Chuck has volunteered have prepared him to be a successful liaison between the Region 11 Chapters and National HFMA. !

Though bittersweet to reach the end of my tenure as President, I look to the next chapter year to continue to build on our Early Careerist forums, increased Finance tracks, continued partnering with the California Association of Health Care Leaders, CHA, HIMSS and UGMA, and build an emphasis on Payers and Physicians and Social Media — it’s all good! Please join us.

2014-2014 Council and Team Leaders:!Audit Team - Ben Mack!Compliance - Gloryanne Bryant!Fall Conference: Tammy Trovatten, Melissa Searle and Pamela Booher!Finance Team: Don Briones and Cher Krause!

Membership Team: Ramona Hernandez!News and Communications: Rosanne Wassom and Aubrey Straub!Outreach: Rosanne Wassom!Professional Excellence/Certification: Daisy Noguera and John Thibeau!

Programs: Ramona Hernandez!Region 11 Conference: Steve Thompson!Revenue Cycle Team/Forum: Marni Richards, Diane Jones, Wende Weckbacher and Ben Wood!Social Events/Awards: Valerie Sutton!

Sponsorship: Bob Keith!Spring Conference: Ellen Montague and Nicole Guido!Vincent Acquisto Memorial Golf Tournament (VAMGT): Chuck Acquisto!Yerger Team: Walt Luke!

Attendee Feedback from the 2015 Spring Conference“I had such a good time at the Spring Conference. This was the third conference I’ve been to as an HFMA member and I’m beginning to recognize people and make contacts. I am also getting a wee bit more involved in HFMA  which is a wonderful thing. The speakers at this conference have been my favorite so far…I was able to relate to their message and it really stuck with me even two weeks later I’ve started a gratuity journal so I don’t forget my wins!” !~ Krystal Korves, Patient Billing Supervisor/Barton Health!

“My feedback is: there needs to be a Patient Access track at every conference.  The general sessions were excellent.  The MAP event was excellent. I really appreciate that breakfast and lunch was provided; I know it is an expense to HFMA,

but it offsets the expense to those who are attending and assists us in providing the ROI for sending staff.”

“From a vendor perspective, the Northern California Spring Conference is a fantastic show to exhibit at, as the HFMA chapter is very vendor friendly, and there is a lot of opportunity to network with providers as well as other vendors during this event. As always, the keynote speakers were fantastic!”"~ Mindy Scher, Director, Business Development SW Region / Xtend Healthcare Advanced Revenue Solutions

“Some of my key take-aways from the Spring Conference are: healthcare is a business of hope, per Keynote Speaker Jeff Eben; ICD-10 Update: WC and auto insurance payers will be ready per Gloryanne Bryant of Kaiser; women speak 40% more words per day than men per Keynote Speaker Jeff Johnson; favorite 80’s persona is Tom Selleck/Magnum P.I./Matt Morgan, Chapter President-Elect.”" ~ Cindy Rudow, FHFMA, Director, Patient Financial Services, ValleyCare Health System

From a first-time attendee: !“First off, I would like to say I really enjoyed the Spring Conference. It was easy to tell the HFMA team and its members carry an outstanding dedication towards the industry. We are truly lucky to have an organization that can unite healthcare leaders all across the United States to speak about current events. The conference itself was organized pretty well. I felt it was structured very well and presentations had clear goals. In addition, the motivational speakers were great too. Some of the education materials were a little high level, but useful nonetheless. Having the vendors at the conference was a nice touch: sometimes, we get so caught up in our own little world, we forget that others may have created tools or ideas that result in process improvements we can implement right here at SPS. "~ Justin Prasad, Revenue Cycle Solutions Supervisor, Sutter Physician Services!

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The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter " 3

Reimbursement Ruminations!Michele L. Earnhart!Vice President, Patient Financial Services, Community Medical Centers!Board Member, HFMA Northern California [email protected]!

How was your cash the fine few months of the calendar year? Unfortunately mine was a little weak the first month of the year when compared to goal but, substantially better than this time last year! Surprisingly, I acknowledge ACA for at least part of this change. That and HPE for as long as it lasts. We have experienced a significant decline in new Self-Pay accounts and the result is increased Covered California monies. Given the fact that we never had much luck with Self-Pay AR in our area, the “Insurance Monies” are a welcome change.!

On a different note, I have to ask the thousand dollar question … am I the only facility smothering in payment errors from Health Net? Between late payments, wrong payments and double payments, I really don’t know which way to turn. We waited for months with no payments at all and then when claims processing finally broke loose, they moved from no payments to multiple payments on the same claims. I believe if a provider claims the money more than once by duplicate billing it is called fraudulent activity … so what is it called when the payer does the same?

What PFS-IT Model Exists In Your World?!Donna Emrich!Director, Revenue Cycle!Community Medical Centers [email protected]!

Patient Financial Services exists within a world with Healthcare IT. No doubt, you exist within a specific PFS/IT relationship, or as I will refer to these relationships, as “models.”!

I will identify three common PFS/IT models.!

The first model has an IT Director in the Business Office orchestrating all IT matters. This Director role consists of working with the PFS Director, understanding the system changes needing to be performed and executing these changes. The goal is to optimize the systems, software, automation, training, and all-around technical improvements. Typically, this internal SBO IT Director has a staff of technicians and analysts. The technicians handle the hardware and the analysts handle the systems; meaning they perform the maintenance. There may be vendors involved as well who handle system changes. The analysts have access to a Test System, perform the testing, and then instruct the vendor staff to make the needed changes. The wishes of the PFS Staff are carried out. Hopefully, timely and correctly.!

The second model consists of an SBO that has an IT knowledgeable staff, only analysts, whereby their jobs are report writing, identifying root cause analysis in the HIS system, and then requesting assistance from the In-house IT Staff to perform the fixes or scheduling and running the reports. No Business Office analysts have security access high enough to make changes. Again, the system changes are requested to optimize the HIS system or to fix an issue, but using the internal IT Team. This model is much more structured and probably has a Change Management component (either newly emerging or mature or somewhere in between).!

The third model I will identify is quite simple. The PFS Staff relies solely on an outside vendor or an internal IT Department. All issues are sent to the IT Team for resolution (external or internal). There may not be any associated SLAs (service level agreements). What does this mean? It means there is no “measured” timeframe for resolution. You wait for the fix. There is no penalty levied against the IT Staff or vendor. In this model, a small system issue can become very time-consuming and costly for the SBO. It will likely impact cash and morale.!

What is the point of identifying these models? The point is, if your model is #3, you need to develop a plan to move toward #2 or #1. What is the roadmap? How do I discuss with my IT Department or vendor? How do I influence this change? What business matters should I include when I have these discussions? Will it include vendor selections? Can I have someone from IT office out of the SBO?!

In my next article I will begin to build the roadmap to move you and your Business Office towards a workable solution with IT. Remember, everybody wins when you work hand-in-hand with your IT staff.

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" The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter4

CMS New “X” Modifiers - Modifier 59 Variation!Gloryanne Bryant, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CCDS!AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer!Compliance Team!

The Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services announced this past August that they will be initiating new “X” modifiers to help with understand Modifier 59 more clearly. CMS stated that the primary issue associated with the -59 modifier is that it is defined for use in a wide variety of circumstances, such as to identify: !

• Different encounters!• Different anatomic sites!• Distinct services!

The -59 modifier is:!• Infrequently (and usually correctly)

used to identify a separate encounter!• Less commonly (and less correctly)

used to define a separate anatomic site!• More commonly (and frequently

incorrectly) used to define a distinct service!

The -59 modifier often overrides the edit in the exact circumstance for which CMS created it in the first place. CMS believes that more precise coding options coupled with increased education and selective editing is needed to reduce the errors associated with this overpayment. !

CR8863 provides that CMS is establishing the following four new HCPCS modifiers (referred to collectively as -X{EPSU} modifiers) to define specific subsets of the -59 modifier: !

• XE Separate Encounter, A Service That Is Distinct Because It Occurred During A Separate Encounter, !

• XS Separate Structure, A Service That Is Distinct Because It Was Performed On A Separate Organ/Structure, !

• XP Separate Practitioner, A Service That Is Distinct Because It Was Performed By A Different Practitioner, and !

• XU Unusual Non-Overlapping Service, the Use of a Service That Is Distinct Because It Does Not Overlap Usual Components of the Main Service.

Lancaster Pollard Releases White Paper on Recent Hospital Financings!Tyler Howard!Communications Editor and Media Relationship [email protected]!

Despite the challenging environment and negative outlook detailed in the credit rating agencies’ 2014 reports, hospitals across the country are still finding ways to finance replacement facilities, expand, renovate and lower their cost of capital. In two recently released white papers, Lancaster Pollard reviews how investment grade and non-investment grade hospitals and hospital systems accessed the capital markets over the past two years to finance a variety of capital projects.!

“It’s no secret that hospitals face many distinct challenges today.” said Lancaster Pollard CEO Tom Green. “With volumes declining in a predominately fee-for-service environment, the expectation that operating margins will continue to compress and a growing dependence on non-operating income, it is imperative that hospital leadership understand all the funding options available to achieve their strategic objectives. These white papers provide information for CEOs, CFOs and boards of trustees regarding commonly used financing structures and several examples of successful projects.” !

In the two white papers, “Recent Financings for Independent Community Hospitals: Acute Care Hospitals and Hospital Systems” and “Recent Financings for Independent Community Hospitals: Critical Access Hospitals,” the authors provide valuable information and real-life examples about how hospitals and hospital systems have obtained funding to replace aging facilities, modernize and expand their physical plants, improve cash flow, recapitalize debt brought into a merger and obtain new money for capital projects. !

One of the nation’s largest groups of finance professionals dedicated to the health care sector, Lancaster Pollard specializes in financing construction, expansion and renovation projects that allow hospitals and health systems to expand and improve their services. The firm offers a full range of investment banking, mortgage banking and investment advisory services.  !

The two white papers are available at http://www.lancasterpollard.com/resources/white-papers-and-term-sheets.aspx.

YOUR PEERS, YOUR STAFF, YOUR MOVE

Win prizes for each new member you recruit.

You know – more than anyone – the value of belonging to HFMA.

Spread the word. Invite your peers, your staff, and your colleagues to join you – and join HFMA.

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The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter " 5

Politicians are Crazy!!Edward Loomis!Managing Partner, GCI a national health insurance brokerage firm!!

It is well known inside Washington D.C. that the two craziest issues are the Farm Bill and Health Care Reform. These are crazy because the battle lines don’t always make sense. In the Farm Bill liberal environmentalists line up with conservative farmers to promote pesticide use while big business and trade unions join together to fight international trade.!

What makes Health Care Reform difficult is that Republicans and Democrats are always changing sides on the debate. Let me give you an example. I met personally with then Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius and her senior staff in September 2013 before the launch of the ACA marketplaces. I asked them why they like the ACA so much and they told me that

they hated the ACA. They actually wanted a single payer system or a strengthened employer mandated system but the White House felt they couldn’t get it passed so they introduced Conservative Senator Bob Bennett’s (R, UT) Health Care Reform Bill which was based on an individual mandate and exchanges. Immediately President Obama was forced to side with big insurance companies to defend a bill he didn’t want while Republicans sided with trade unions to fight against a bill that they used to want. !

The modern day healthcare reform debate has centered on an employer mandated health insurance system or an individual mandated system. The employer mandate had its roots in the 1930’s with trade unions demanding better pay and working conditions for workers. The individual mandate had its roots in the late 1980’s as “conservative alternatives” to the employer mandated system. These individual mandates were first pushed by the libertarian economist Milton Friedman, the conservative Heritage Foundation, and Republican politicians that included Newt Gingrich, Orin Hatch, and Rick Santorum. !

To make things even more complicated, the conservative Ronald Reagan and a Republican Senate passed the COBRA bill in 1986 which strengthened the employer mandate. The individual mandate only gained steam when Mitt Romney passed RomneyCare in Massachusetts, John Huntsman Jr. passed exchanges in Utah, and the ultra-conservative Senator from Utah Bob Bennett introduced the framework of the ACA. Democrats made changes to Senator Bennett’s bill by strengthening employer mandates. Senator Bennett’s bill would have ended tax deductions for group plans while shifting tax breaks to individuals. Sen. Bob Bennett lost in a primary to a free-market Tea Party favorite right after the ACA was passed.!

In order to determine the type of tree, sometimes you have to look at its fruit. Below I have charted out the fruits of the Affordable Care Act to see if this is actually a conservative free market approach or a liberal socialized approach. What I have found is that politicians are crazy!

Fruit of Free Market

Description Fruit of the ACA Free Market or Socialist

Private Property

Goods and services privately owned. Owners can buy, sell, trade, etc their property for profit.

Provided by both government (Medicaid) and private businesses (marketplaces). Profits are capped by the ACA. Many more insurance carriers have entered the market under the ACA.

Tied

Freedom of Choice

Businesses and consumers are free to buy and sell in the free market

Consumers are able to choose any plan from any carrier as long as they are not low income or their company offers insurance. There are many more choices to consumers under the ACA.

Mostly Free Market

Motive of Self Interest

Over the long run this decides the true value of services.

Many carriers across the country have added additional services such as tele-medicine, narrow networks, alternative medicine, and medical tourism.

Free Market

Competition

This pressure keeps prices moderate and the market efficient by making inefficient businesses fail out.

Prices grew more moderate than expected in the 2nd year. Many carriers lowered rates. Some by as much as 20%!

Free Market

System of Markets and Prices

In efficient markets buyers and sellers have equal access and the same information to make their decisions

The ACA brings all products and information together. The vast majority of consumers are picking plans based on lowest cost instead of ratings, doctors or hospital networks.

Free Market

Limited Government

Role of government is to make sure markets are open and working and all people have equal access to the market.

The private market for health insurance has expanded greatly from both number of buyers and sellers and total dollars in the market. Lower income people and many employees don’t have access to choices. Government regulation is part of the high health care cost burden.

Tied

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" The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter6

Edward Loomis is the Managing Partner and General Agent for Green Cross Insurance LC (“GCI”) a national health insurance agency, and a Unit Manager of John Hancock Pacific Financial Partners. Mr. Loomis is the principal behind placing about 2,000 licensed insurance agents in Rite Aid stores nationwide to sell health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. "!Prior to working with GCI and John Hancock Pacific Financial Partners, Mr. Loomis worked for many years at Prudential. While being a member of the Prudential Dream Builder program, in 2008 Mr. Loomis began working on healthcare financing issues. Over the years, Mr. Loomis has become a subject matter expert on health care insurance and financing, helping many businesses and individuals. His success in this field was recognized by the general market. He has spoken widely on the topic of affordable care nationwide.

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The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter " 7

Member on the Move!Judy%Bain,%Medicare%and%Medicaid%Payment%Programs%Expert,%Joins%HFS%Consultants’%Reimbursement%and%Government%Programs%Practice%%!Judy Bain has joined HFS Consultants as manager in the Government Programs and Reimbursement practice. She will be based in the firm’s Oakland office. !!Prior to joining HFS, Judy was senior reimbursement analyst at Alameda Health System where she provided reimbursement consulting, prepared Medicare and Medi-Cal costs reports, OSHPD reports, contractual allowances, Medi-Cal Waiver (P14) reports, California realignment reports, Indirect Cost reports for grants and appeals. Bain’s experience also includes over 20 years at Toyon Associates as senior director of client services. !!Bain has a bachelor of arts in Finance and Economics from California State University, San Bernardino. She is an advanced member of HFMA.

Early Careerist Overview!Aubrey Straub!Communications [email protected]!

Early Careerist launched with a bang and has continued full-steam ahead! What a great and important initiative to get going. It wasn’t my idea, I was just given the opportunity to attend and then lucky enough to be a part of pushing it forward. Not that it needs much pushing, it seems to be propelling itself. There have been two Early Careerist events, and both have been met with exuberance, seen in the attendance numbers, and those willing to participate in the act of sharing wisdom and knowledge. It has been the goal of the Early Careerist planning team to make sure that each event is full of new information, hones skills in new ways, and appeals to newcomers and those who have attended previously. !

With the planning of each event, we have tried to incorporate the following: What do those who have spent years in this industry want to impart to those who are new? What do those who are new need and want to learn? Keeping those two thoughts in mind, we have tried to create a resource of support, networking, growing, learning, sharing and mentoring.!

The most recent event in February, hosted graciously by El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, was well attended — over 30 people! We started the day with an inspirational discussion about how to build daily habits into our lives in order to achieve our long-term goals. Not an easy task necessarily, but making the right daily choices, leads us to where we want to be. Dr. David Speechly stressed that even our emotions are a choice. Plenty of “a-ha” moments in that room!!

In addition to Dr. Speechly, we were thrilled to have Sarah Sample-Reif and Stevie Bahu from Modis join us. We were fortunate to get a detailed presentation on the power of using LinkedIn. We even had a few commitments from those in the audience (ahem! I am watching you) who promised to update their profiles and use LinkedIn more! !

One of my personal favorites, as those of you who have had to stave off my constant inquiry about involvement will readily agree, was our Mentor Panel. Thank you to Ben Wood, Mary Ackley, Sarah Sample-Reif and Ramona Hernandez for being so open and willing to let me pepper you with questions! As our last activity of the day, the Mentor Panel was probably the most intimate. We had the previous hours to bond as people within the same room, hearing the same message, and groaning at the same personal challenges. With the Mentor Panel, we as Early Careerists, were able to hear first-hand what each of our panel members would have done differently, what advice they would give for dealing with life balance, where they find their inspiration, who influenced them the most, and more. It was candid, it was fresh and it was enriching. Not only did they answer the pre-set questions, but the Early Careerist attendee audience asked follow-up questions as well. The panel didn’t balk, or even hesitate, but willingly opened up and shared. It was an involved two-way discussion, and I firmly believe it was productive.!

Early Careerist is something that I am excited … no, thrilled to be a part of. It is the bridge between experience and innovation. It cannot exist without those who come to learn, and those who come to share, actions that are often both performed by each individual. Join us for the next event, whether you feel you have something to share, or you are in pursuit of something to learn — both will happen! !

Please contact me if you have an idea for an activity, want to participate in teaching, or want to attend.

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" The Edge - Northern California Chapter’s Newsletter8

Better Science. Better People. Better Results. Better World.

“The staff has always been very responsive to our needs. Their level of integrity and professionalism when contacting our patients has proven to be a significant asset. We highly recommend Rash Curtis.” Business Office Manager, Medical Center, CA

Revenue Cycle Solutions Debt Recovery Specialists

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We give you what you want...

Congratulations To Our Newly Certified Members!

• Maica V. Bailon, CHFP — Senior Financial Analyst, San Mateo Medical Center!

• Vivian Chu, CHFP — Accountant, San Mateo Medical Center!

• Fung Ngor Lee Lung, CHFP — Reimbursement Analyst, San Mateo Medical Center!

• Brad Lew, CHFP — Financial Planning and Analysis, San Mateo Medical Center!

• David S. McGrew, CPA, CHFP — Chief Financial Officer, San Mateo Medical Center!

• Isela Montenegro, CHFP — Medical Office Specialist, San Mateo Medical Center!

• Ilhwan Park, CHFP — San Mateo Medical Center!

• Kristen Swilley, CHFP — Consultant!

• Carrie Y. Tam, CHFP — Financial Services Manager I, San Mateo Medical Center!

• Angelica Tejeda, CHFP - San Mateo Medical Center

visit www.hfma-nca.org for detailsJob Postings• Manager, Patient Registration — Stanford Healthcare, San Jose, CA (posted 4/29/15)!• Director, Contract Management — UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA (posted 4/17/15)!• Financial Analyst — PeaceHealth, Vancouver, WA (posted 4/10/15)!• Enterprise Client Executive — Optum, Sacramento, CA (posted 4/10/15)!• Financial and Administrative Services Manager — San Mateo County Health System, San Mateo, CA (posted 4/7/15)!• Controller — Marin General Hospital, Greenbrae, CA (posted 4/3/15)


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