In this episode of the Ask MGMA Podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Christy Good dig into one of the most urgent issues medical practices are facing: payer downcoding and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence in reimbursement decisions. Discover why evaluation and management (E/M) claims are being reduced without medical record review, how automated systems are affecting your revenue, and what actions you can take to identify, track, and appeal unjustified downcodes. Whether you're ...
May 19, 2025•13 min•Ep. 672
In this episode of the MGMA Weekend Review podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss a range of pressing healthcare industry topics. The episode starts with an in-depth look at the proposed GOP budget plan that could significantly cut Medicaid funding, putting millions of Americans at risk of losing healthcare coverage. This is followed by a discussion on the harmful effects of medical gaslighting on patients, as revealed by a comprehensive Rutgers Health report. The hosts also ...
May 16, 2025•16 min•Ep. 687
In this episode of the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Helen Falkner, Regional Vice President of Recruiting at Jackson Physician Search, and Dr. Miechia Esco, Chief Medical Resource Officer at Locum Tenens.com. Based on a groundbreaking report titled "Is Medicine Still a Calling?", the discussion explores physician satisfaction, purpose, and strategies for maintaining passion in healthcare. Key Takeaways: 01:47 – Why the Report Was Created Dr. Esco explains t...
May 14, 2025•23 min•Ep. 684
In this episode, host Daniel Williams speaks with Dave Jenkins, healthcare executive at Cone Health and adjunct faculty at Winston-Salem State University. Jenkins shares his journey into healthcare leadership, the operational dynamics at Cone Health, and the evolving challenges in behavioral health. He dives into the critical role of technology, workforce engagement, and leadership development—offering valuable insights for anyone aspiring to lead in today’s healthcare environment. 00:50 Introdu...
May 12, 2025•20 min•Ep. 685
In this episode of the MGMA Week in Review podcast , hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett cover key healthcare headlines, from the ongoing shortage of medical assistants and tips to close staffing gaps, to the leadership lessons in crisis response and fallout from the Change Healthcare cyberattack. They also share findings on nurse retention from McKinsey’s latest survey and close with a nod to National Nurses Week. 00:49 Introduction and Hosts 01:36 MGMA Stat Poll Results ( MGMA Stat ) 05:...
May 09, 2025•17 min•Ep. 686
This episode of the MGMA Member Spotlight Podcast features Robin Fagala, Practice Manager at Conway OBGYN in Arkansas. Discussing her groundbreaking advocacy for maternal health, Fagala shares her journey of addressing critical healthcare challenges, securing increased Medicaid reimbursements, and ultimately helping to secure a $17 million federal grant to improve maternal health outcomes in Arkansas. Episode Highlights: Healthcare Career and Professional Background 01:22 Robin's 26-year healthc...
May 07, 2025•24 min•Ep. 681
In this episode of Ask MGMA , Daniel Williams and Cristy Good explore how medical practices can align their teams and leadership around a shared purpose by developing clear mission, vision, and values (MVV). They introduce MGMA’s new MVV Checklist and Culture Playbook, designed to help practices navigate change, improve engagement, and retain top talent. Key Highlights: 00:54 – Introduction to the Ask MGMA podcast and today's focus on mission, vision, and values (MVV) 02:35 – What are MGMA Playb...
May 05, 2025•12 min•Ep. 683
In this episode of the MGMA Week in Review podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss the critical issue of burnout among healthcare administrators and clinicians, stressing the importance of a mindset shift to combat repetitive negative thinking (RNT). They highlight insights from Steve Brewer's article on burnout and Barbara Frederickson's positive psychology research. The episode also delves into ways to improve the patient experience through communication, technology, and cul...
May 02, 2025•18 min•Ep. 682
In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Steve Brewer, Chief Operating Officer of GI Associates, to explore a critical issue facing healthcare professionals: the psychological impact of burnout. Through an in-depth conversation, Brewer shares insights from his personal experience and research, challenging how we traditionally approach and discuss workplace stress and mental well-being. Key Takeaways: 0:01:36 - Personal Journey: Steve Brewer discusses his ...
Apr 30, 2025•26 min•Ep. 679
In this episode of the MGMA Podcast, Daniel Williams, Senior Editor, sits down with Dawn Plested, an MGMA consultant, and contributor to the MGMA book Advanced Strategy for Medical Practice Leaders: Operations Management Edition . In the discussion, Dawn talks about the importance and impact of administrative structures in medical practices. Dawn also discusses the significance of leadership styles, considerations for choosing organizational structures, and the need for regulatory compliance. 00...
Apr 28, 2025•30 min•Ep. 680
In this week's MGMA Week in Review, hosts Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA, and Colleen Luckett, Editor and Writer at MGMA, discuss significant developments in the healthcare industry. Key topics include proposed updates to the HIPAA security rule, essential dos and don'ts for adopting a direct primary care model, the importance of digital communication in building patient trust, the rise of 'care now, pay later' financing options for medical debt, and state legislation to limit AI in insu...
Apr 25, 2025•16 min•Ep. 678
What does successful RCM outsourcing look like in 2025? In this episode, Daniel Williams speaks with Chuck Rackley and Marvin Luz of Greenway Health about the evolution of revenue cycle outsourcing — from transactional support to fully integrated partnerships that deliver performance, accountability, and improved patient financial experiences. Chuck and Marvin share best practices for evaluating outsourcing partners, measuring ROI and compliance, and aligning technology to reduce denials and boo...
Apr 23, 2025•25 min•Ep. 677
Guest: Lauren Howard , CEO, Clinical Operations Group | CEO, LBee Health | Founder, ElleTwo Host: Daniel Williams, Senior Editor, MGMA Summary: In this episode, Lauren Howard shares how her personal experience with burnout inspired the creation of virtual mental health resources. She discusses why toxic work cultures persist, how remote work reshaped expectations, and what healthcare leaders can do to better support their teams. Key Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:16 Lauren H...
Apr 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 675
In this episode of the MGMA Weekend Review, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss the latest healthcare industry news, including the impact of private equity on medical trainees, strategies to keep physicians offline during vacations, challenges in physician compensation, and the potential impact of new tariffs on medical practices. They emphasize the importance of proactive policy changes and operational adjustments to navigate these evolving challenges. 00:00 Introduction and Welco...
Apr 19, 2025•13 min•Ep. 676
In this episode of the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast, host Daniel Williams welcomes back Claude Royster, VP and GM of Health and Wellness at CareCredit and Synchrony. Claude shares insights on how rising healthcare costs are impacting patient decision-making and practice operations. He highlights why evaluating in-house financing solutions and exploring third-party partnerships can be critical for improving access to care and easing administrative burdens. Claude also discusses: Why one in two...
Apr 16, 2025•18 min•Ep. 674
Episode Overview: In this episode, MGMA consultant Adrienne Lloyd sits down with Jill Arena, a nationally recognized expert in medical practice operations, to discuss the growing need for financial fluency among physicians. Jill shares insights from her work with the Physician Leadership Project and offers practical strategies for improving financial transparency, navigating payer mix, and creating a safe learning environment for clinical leaders. Key Topics Covered: 02:19 – Jill explains the fi...
Apr 14, 2025•37 min•Ep. 673
In this week’s MGMA Week in Review podcast, cohosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett explore the tech and trends shaping the future of medical group practices. From AI chatbots transforming patient communication to new research on stress in the healthcare workforce, we cover actionable insights, policy shifts, and human-centered stories from the field. We also discuss how practices can navigate rising drug costs amid new tariff threats—and what it takes to rebuild the doctor-patient bond in a...
Apr 11, 2025•20 min•Ep. 671
In this episode of MGMA Insights , Senior Editor Daniel Williams is live in studio with Julia Rosen, MGMA’s new Senior Vice President of Information Technology , to explore the dynamic intersection of technology and patient care in today’s healthcare landscape. Julia shares her unconventional journey from studying English to leading major IT initiatives at healthcare organizations, including her work at Epic , Centura Health and PeraHealth . Now at MGMA, she’s driving digital transformation effo...
Apr 09, 2025•27 min•Ep. 669
Hosted by Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett, this episode of MGMA Weekend Review addresses issues in healthcare concerning AI compliance and clinician burnout. Drawing insights from the 2025 HIMSS Global Conference, the hosts discuss challenges and best practices for integrating AI within HIPAA constraints. The episode also highlights the importance of provider wellness, the ongoing struggle with prior authorization processes, lessons from disaster response, and strategies for mitigating clini...
Apr 04, 2025•18 min•Ep. 670
In this episode of the MGMA Member Spotlight Podcast , host Daniel Williams sits down with Katie Komaridis, Senior Manager at ECG Management Consultants, to discuss the evolving landscape of primary care, the challenges facing women’s health services, and the impact of project management on healthcare operations. Katie shares key takeaways from the MGMA Operations Conference, insights on workforce shortages and financial pressures, and strategies for helping medical practices remain competitive....
Apr 02, 2025•20 min•Ep. 668
In this episode of Ask an Advisor, hosts Daniel Williams and Christie Good delve into the topic of transitioning from paper to digital employee records for practice administrators. They explore the absence of federal laws requiring paper copies, highlight state-specific regulations, and discuss best practices for securing digital files, ensuring legal validity, and maintaining HIPAA compliance. The conversation also covers the importance of having reliable document management systems and IT prof...
Mar 31, 2025•14 min•Ep. 667
In this episode of MGMA Week in Review , hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett explore pressing issues impacting healthcare practices today. The episode opens with insights from the Colorado HIMSS Advocacy Day Breakfast , where Colleen shares the latest updates on healthcare cybersecurity and the growing need for vigilance against data breaches and cyber threats. Daniel dives into a recent study showing that patients are willing to wait for their preferred doctors , particularly for complex ...
Mar 28, 2025•17 min•Ep. 666
In this episode of MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Rob Lawless, founder of Rob's 10k Friends LLC and an upcoming keynote speaker at the MGMA Financial Conference. Rob shares his extraordinary mission to meet 10,000 different people for one hour each, exploring the profound value of human connection. This episode offers medical practice leaders a unique perspective on building meaningful relationships, improving workplace engagement, and understanding the power of inten...
Mar 26, 2025•21 min•Ep. 664
In this episode, MGMA editor and writer Colleen Luckett talks with women leaders Cheryl Mongillo , MBA; Delores McNair , MHA, ASCP; and Paola Turchi , MSHCA, FHFMA, CPC, FACMPE who discuss their experiences with mentorship, leadership, and the value of networking in professional growth. Paola shares her journey and the importance of building connections; Cheryl speaks on her experience rising from a secretary to a leadership position with the help of mentorship; and Dolores highlights the value ...
Mar 25, 2025•26 min•Ep. 665
In this episode of MGMA Weekend Review podcast, senior editor Daniel Williams and co-host Colleen Luckett discuss key healthcare topics. They begin by highlighting OptumRx's decision to eliminate prior authorizations for around 80 drugs, followed by a segment on the importance of workplace happiness, featuring a case study from Lanco Medical Group. They then cover the latest MGMA stat polling on EHR system updates and improvements and review the challenges alternative care settings face with cur...
Mar 21, 2025•17 min•Ep. 663
In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Les Jebson, Regional Administrator at Prisma Health, to unpack the critical challenge of medical equipment acquisition. Jebson brings a wealth of experience from both private and academic healthcare settings, offering medical practice leaders a comprehensive guide to making informed decisions about purchasing, leasing, or renting medical equipment. The conversation explores the financial, strategic, and compliance ...
Mar 19, 2025•20 min•Ep. 661
In this episode of the MGMA Week in Review podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss the importance of measuring physician job satisfaction and engagement, the impact of recent HHS layoffs, strategies for addressing rising healthcare costs, a personal story about a physician's terminal diagnosis, cybersecurity strategies for healthcare practices, and an upcoming tech-focused healthcare conference. Here's a time-based breakdown so you can go directly to your preferred story: 00:4...
Mar 14, 2025•17 min•Ep. 660
In this episode of the MGMA Podcast, host Daniel Williams speaks with Roben Farzad, a seasoned journalist, broadcaster, and host of Public Radio’s Full Disclosure . Roben is a keynote speaker at MGMA’s Financial Conference in April, where he will present "Disrupt or Be Disrupted: The Tech and Business Trends You Need to Know." In this discussion, Roben explores the rapid shifts in technology, finance, and healthcare, offering insights into how AI, fintech, and consumer behavior are reshaping ind...
Mar 12, 2025•32 min•Ep. 659
In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast , host Daniel Williams welcomes back Kristin Baird , CEO of Baird Group and a nationally recognized expert in patient experience, leadership, and healthcare culture. They discuss the ongoing staffing challenges in healthcare and provide actionable strategies for maintaining high service standards, even during workforce shortages. Key Topics & Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction and Guest Welcome 02:15 – Current Trends in Healthcare Practices Overview...
Mar 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 658
In this MGMA Week in Review episode, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett tackle key healthcare challenges, including rising workplace violence against healthcare workers, staffing shortages, and setbacks to the No Surprises Act after CCIIO layoffs. They also share insights from HIMSS 2025, discuss findings from the HIMSS Cybersecurity Survey, and highlight the role of leadership development in medical practices. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming MGMA conferences. 00:00 Intro...
Mar 07, 2025•17 min•Ep. 657
