Healthcare

New State Leaders to Play a Dangerous Game in Rejecting Federal Funding

2010-11-12T09:26:18-07:00

More Republicans are preparing to occupy governorships and seats in state legislatures now that the November elections are over, and many are eyeing cuts to domestic programs. Some are even advocating that states reject federal funding for Medicaid because of eligibility mandates that limit states’ ability to cut spending on the programs.

Health care policy experts say if states do reject federal funding for Medicaid, more people will lose their health insurance. And if that happens, medical bad debt will increase significantly. However, collecting payment from the lowest income earners will be difficult and costly for healthcare providers and their debt collection agency partners.

“Some (unpaid medical bills) will be written off as charity, and some will end up as bad debt,” said Jim Richards, president and CEO of Capio Partners, an Atlanta, Ga.-based medical debt buyer. “That’s not good for anyone because they (Medicaid patients) don’t have the means to make payment…If you have more uncollectable accounts, it clogs up the system and makes every one less efficient.”

During the last two years, millions of Americans were added to Medicaid programs throughout the country after the housing and financial crisis saddled the country with its worst recession since the Great Depression. Medicaid provides health insurance predominately to low income seniors, disabled people, children, and pregnant women.

Congress included an additional $87 billion in federal funds in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – commonly called the stimulus bill -- to help states foot the bill. But the law prevented states from making it harder to qualify for Medicaid until the end of 2010. The healthcare reform bill extended the eligibility mandates until 2014 or until a state’s new health insurance exchange is fully operational.

Rachel Morgan, health committee director for the National Conference of State Legislatures, said health care reform allows states to be exempted from federal eligibility requirements for certain populations if the state certifies that it is facing a budget deficit. “But I wonder how many will admit to that when they are mandated to balance the budget,” Morgan said.

Even so, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Arizona Senate President-Elect Russell Pearce would rather forego the federal funds, arguing that their states can’t afford it. Pearce told a local news reporter that he wants Arizona to turn down $7 billion in federal funding that supports the state’s Medicaid program known as the Arizona health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).

Pearce said he believes AHCCCS can survive without the federal funding, but it would have to make some changes, including charging premiums and co-pays.

More than 1.3 million Arizonians rely on the program to receive medical care, said Jim Haynes, senior vice president and CFO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. Haynes said Medicaid reimbursements also contributed 18 percent of last year’s revenue to the hospitals in Arizona. If Arizona rejects federal Medicaid funding, the state’s unemployment rate – which is already above 9 percent – could increase across all job sectors, Haynes said. Arizona hospitals’ uncompensated care, which includes bad debt charity care and discounts to uninsured patients, also will increase.

“It’s a huge concern,” Haynes said. “If the Medicaid program is shrunk materially, hospitals will still be responsible for taking care of patients who come to the emergency room and those costs would end up as bad debt and uncompensated care.”

Jennifer Sullivan, senior health policy analyst with Families USA, a Washington D.C.-based non-partisan consumer advocacy, told insideARM.com that any state considering rejecting federal funds can’t possibly expect to maintain their state’s Medicaid programs without making drastic cuts to enrollment. Choosing which groups to cut won’t be easy, she said.

“They’ll only have half the money to provide service, and they will have to make some very difficult decisions,” Sullivan said. “Do they cut the seniors and disabled people or low income pregnant women and children…You can’t do it all.”

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ClearBalance by CSI Financial Services to Provide Utah-based Hospital with Interest Free Patient Loan Program

2010-11-05T08:23:04-07:00

SAN DIEGO – ClearBalance by CSI Financial Services (CSI), the healthcare industry’s leader in providing patient-friendly bank loans, today announced its partnership with Utah-based San Juan Hospital. ClearBalance’s patient-friendly, interest free loans will be immediately made available to patients of San Juan Hospital.

The ClearBalance program brings “peace of mind” to patients by providing them the ability to retire out-of-pocket medical expenses with affordable monthly payments, thereby helping patients avoid the collections process and maintain their credit.

“Our partnership with San Juan Hospital demonstrates the facility’s concern for not only the physical well-being of their patients, but also their financial well-being,” said Mitch Patridge, Chief Executive Officer, ClearBalance by CSI. “Our program offers tremendous benefits for patients who want to pay their bill, but need a little extra time.

“Moreover, as a 25-bed, critical access hospital, the ClearBalance program will help reduce San Juan’s bad debt and, importantly, accelerate their cash flow to help improve the overall performance of their revenue cycle,” Patridge added.

“The ClearBalance program allows us to continue our mission to do what’s best for the patient. This program enables us to offer financial assistance to more patients, which not only has a positive impact on patient satisfaction, but also to San Juan Hospital’s commitment to create a culture of service excellence,” said Phil Lowe, Chief Executive Officer, San Juan Hospital.

Patridge explained that ClearBalance’s interest free loan program is supported by the company’s best-in-class customer service center that has been designed to meet the needs of its healthcare clients and their patients. CSI’s San Diego-based customer service center has generated a 99% satisfaction rating, underscoring the company’s commitment to treat each patient with dignity and respect.

About ClearBalance by CSI Financial Services
ClearBalance by CSI Financial Services is the premier provider of patient-friendly loan programs. Since 1992, CSI has funded more than $500 million in patient loans, enabling hundreds of thousands of patients to easily and affordably repay their healthcare obligations. CSI maintains its corporate office in San Diego, Calif., with regional sales offices throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.clearbalance.org.

About San Juan Hospital
San Juan Health Services includes San Juan Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital that provides full service care, acute and outpatient services with professional dedicated providers and staff, San Juan Clinic, Blanding Clinic, and Spanish Valley Clinic. San Juan Hospital has received the Solucient Top 100 Hospitals award two consecutive years and is Careline designated by ACR as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

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RFP for Medical Collection Services

2010-11-01T07:24:10-07:00

Johnston Health is accepting proposals for billing and collection of North Carolina Medicaid claims.

The RFP document is available November 1, 2010. Interested vendors may contact, via email, Hal Perlman (hperlman@johnstonhealth.org) or Christy Davis (cdavis@johnstonhealth.org) for a copy of the RFP.

Phone requests will not be accepted.

MDHBA Recognizes Achievement at Annual Conference

2010-10-27T07:10:22-07:00

Elmhurst, Ill. — The Medical-Dental-Hospital Business Associates (MDHBA) presented several awards during its Reception, Silent Auction and Dinner on Friday, October 22, at its Annual Conference at the Buena Vista Palace, Orlando, Florida.

Then MDHBA President Philip Rosenthal, CPBE, HealthCare Associates, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia, oversaw the ceremonies. During the program, MDHBA’s new officers were sworn in and Rosenthal became immediate past president.

The Robert T. Hellrung Award was presented to Todd Gillis, CPBE, vice president, Medical Business Bureau, LLC, Park Ridge, Illinois. The Hellrung award recognizes individuals for their contributions to the medical economics profession and to MDHBA.

Andrew Hartweg, vice president, CBJ Credit Recovery, Jamestown, New York, received the President’s Award. The President’s Award is presented annually by the current MDHBA President to recognize an individual or individuals who did the most to advance MDHBA's interests during his or her tenure as President.

Medical-Dental-Hospital Business Associates is the healthcare ARM community for accreditation and networking. Formed in 1939, MDHBA and its members set a tone of collaboration and continuous improvement within the demanding and competitive world of healthcare financial services. MDHBA provides a nationwide forum for idea exchange, continuing education and certification. For more information, contact: MDHBA, 350 Poplar Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126. Telephone 630.941.8100; Fax 630.359.4274; E-mail info@mdhba.org; www.mdhba.org.

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Data Image Merges with DANTOM Systems

2010-10-21T08:23:37-07:00

Wixom, Mich. -- DANTOM Systems is pleased to announce its merger with Data Image, an Ohio based healthcare statement provider, and its affiliate company, Data Online. Data Image serves a national client base – providing quality, compliant products and services to more than 150 healthcare organizations as well as numerous utility co-operatives and collection agencies.

Data Image offers clients high-impact graphic design, dynamic, full color; variable statements; archiving and online retrieval; and payment processing technology. The payment processing portal, Data Online, is PCI DSS compliant. Through the proven graphic design expertise, Data Image provides exceptional branding and image statements to healthcare providers, including early out statements at the agency level.

“Our clients have requested the high-quality, statement/invoicing services that Data Image provides – including dynamic color and archive capability,” said Tim Schriner, DANTOM Systems CEO. “It is a synergistic relationship where both companies bring unique technology, services and expertise. Our combined ability to meet the document needs of the credit and collection industry, particularly healthcare clients, is unrivalled.”

The combination will offer Data Image capital for future growth and provide its customers an expanded data services platform to choose from including return mail and other technology based services.

Data Image will be headquartered in Ohio and operate as an independent subsidiary of DANTOM Systems. Clients will continue to be served by the same dedicated individuals, using the same outstanding technology and processes. Chuck Brown has been named President and CEO of Data Image, reporting directly to Schriner.

“Both companies share a similar business philosophy and culture, making it a great fit,” said Chuck Brown, Data Image president and CEO. “We both serve the healthcare marketplace and our relationship will bring unique technology, services and expertise to better serve all clients.”

About DANTOM Systems
DANTOM Systems, Inc. provides data processing, high-speed letter printing, USPS first-class mail delivery and electronic notification services to the credit and collection industries. DANTOM also provides information processing enhancements – enabling clients to reduce costs, improve deliverability and better manage mail and electronic communication. All letters are fulfilled under one roof for the highest quality, security, FDCPA compliance, 24/7 processing and mail delivery Monday through Saturday. DANTOM is headquartered in Wixom, Mich. For more information, visit http://www.dantomsystems.com.

About Data Image
Data Image combines continuous innovation with 20 years of experience in billing document design and online payment processing. Focus on healthcare providers, utility co-operatives and the collections space enables Data Image to provide meaningful products and services to 260 customers nationwide. Headquartered in Ohio, Data Image is a subsidiary of DANTOM Systems. To learn more visit http://www.d-image.com.

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KeyBridge to Present How to Increase Medical Collections

2010-10-18T08:26:11-07:00

Columbus, Ohio - KeyBridge Medical Revenue Management (http://www.keybridgemed.com) Director of Development David G. Morrisey will present at three fall healthcare finance events, where he will share with hospital CFOs, medical group practice managers, patient accountants and other healthcare finance professionals how to quickly and effectively recover bad debt while maintaining strong patient relationships. For more on these topics, visit the KeyBridge Thought Leadership page (http://www.keybridgemed.com/resources-thought-leadership).

Iowa Medical Society – Tues., Nov. 9, 2010: Webinar on “Increasing Collections While Preserving Patient Relationships"
Northwest Ohio Chapter of Healthcare Financial Management Assoc. (HFMA) – Wed., Nov. 10, 2010: “Increasing Collections While Preserving Patient Relationships”
Michigan Patient Accounting Association (MPAA) – Fri., Nov. 19, 2010: Panel discussion: “Collecting Patient-Pay Balances”

Increasing Collections While Preserving Patient Relationships

Current economic conditions have made it increasingly difficult to get patients to pay their medical bills, and traditional methods of collecting payments might not be effective. Morrisey will explore the current challenges in collections and offer examples of proven methods for increasing collections while preserving patient relationships, like how to:

Identify the current challenges with medical collections and the low recovery rate.
Assess the effectiveness of the patient-centric approach to collecting patient balances.
Use specific to lower resistance and motivate payment.

Strategy for Turning Patient-Pay Accounts into Revenue

Providers say that patient-pay is making the difference between profit and loss on their bottom lines. High unemployment, coverage changes and rising costs of healthcare have led to a spike in these self-pay patients. Morrisey will share key strategies for turning patient-pay balances into revenue, including:

2 things you MUST know about your accounts to uncover revenue
62,500 reasons to collect co-pays at the time of service
How long it takes an account to lose 90% of its value
How you can know with certainty which accounts you should work, and which ones you should outsource

About David G. Morrisey, KeyBridge Medical Revenue Management Director of Development
Relying on over 30 years of experience in healthcare and management training, Morrisey has used his expertise in human motivational techniques and process design to maximize production results at KeyBridge. A talented speaker and motivator, Morrisey has also taught hundreds of seminars and courses around the country on the subjects of effective communication skills and the keys to motivation.

Morrisey is an active member of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), the Orthopedic Managers Association (OMA), the Michigan Patient Accounting Association (MPAA) and the Michigan Association of Healthcare Access Professionals (MAHAP).

About KeyBridge
KeyBridge Medical Revenue Management is a leading provider of accounts receivable management services, including post-charge-off debt recovery, early-out programs, accounts receivable clean-up, and other services for the healthcare industry. By strategically implementing cash management programs designed to enhance the revenue cycle, KeyBridge is able to provide its healthcare clients improved cash flow while reducing cost of recovery. For more information, visit www.keybridgemed.com.

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BillingTree Introduces Non-Sufficient Funds Management Solution 'Check Collect' to Utilities & Healthcare Organizations

2010-10-15T07:58:03-07:00

Phoenix – BillingTree, Inc, one of the nation's leading on-demand payment processors, is now offering its express check recovery tool to additional industries including Utility and Healthcare. The Check Collect solution enables companies to streamline the returned-check process by optimizing collection rates for Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) items and centralizing management of outstanding balances.

As a common policy, NSF checks are typically re-presented automatically over three consecutive days, not allowing overdrawn account owners a realistic window to deposit more funds. BillingTree's express recovery process strategically manages returns, holding checks and re-presenting them on specific dates that are the most likely to yield a return. For example, Check Collect re-presents checks on specific dates such as the first or fifteenth of the month, rather than successive days, increasing the likelihood of funds being available as well as saving time and resources on wasteful resubmissions.

The solution also helps Utilities and Healthcare providers centralize their volume of returned checks across the entire enterprise, which not only simplifies the management process, but further decreases the risk associated with these transactions, as they are carried out by one system. By directing checks with insufficient funds from current depository banks to BillingTree's central system, Check Collect users are ensured to receive optimum return on check funds via a convenient and flexible fund-collection management process.

"A broader range of industry verticals, including Healthcare and Utility, have been requesting additional components of our comprehensive suite of billing and payment solutions," commented Scott McCollum, BillingTree's president. "Now more businesses can take advantage of our unique check fund collection strategies not available within the typical return process."

BillingTree supplies the leading fully integrated, multi-channel electronic payment platform to a growing list of Industries, including Utilities such as power, cable, municipal, and phone as well as Healthcare and Subscription-billed services. Benefits of electronic payment solutions include an accelerated availability of consumer funds, reduced costs associated with manual-payment processing, improved cash management, and integrated processing by managing all payments, returns, and corrections through a single portal.

About BillingTree
The proven leader in on-demand payment processing, BillingTree empowers customers with competitive advantage through a simplification of the billing and receivables process. By delivering the most innovative technology while making it as easy and inexpensive as possible to accept payments, BillingTree has revolutionized the payments landscape. Our software-as-a-service (SaaS) model delivers industry-leading payment solutions, proven integration, and point-and-click simplicity. BillingTree’s focus on innovation has allowed us to help more than 1,500 customers eliminate manual processes and automate their payment cycles. BillingTree – Growth is our Business. For more information, visit www.mybillingtree.com or call 877.4.BILLTREE.

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nTelagent Presents Webinar on How Hospitals Can Change Bad Debt to Revenue

2010-10-13T07:27:54-07:00

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--On October 19, Nashville’s nTelagent, Inc. will present a complimentary webinar titled “Change Bad Debt to Revenue in Five Simple Steps.” The Tuesday, October 19 webinar will begin at 9 a.m. Central. For those not available to attend the October 19 webinar, a second webinar will be held on Thursday, October 21 at 1 p.m. Central.

Healthcare and hospital executives – including CFOs, business office directors, revenue cycle directors and others responsible for patient financial accounts – should attend this nTelagent webinar.

“In this webinar, we’ll be presenting hospitals with five simple but critically important steps to change bad debt to revenue. The effects of healthcare reform are looming, and the industry already has experienced an overall shift to a more retail-like revenue cycle. In today’s challenging environment, now is the ideal time for hospitals to take a step back and ensure the fundamentals of their revenue cycle are sound, efficient and effective,” said Irene Barron, nTelagent COO and product management officer.

A hospital business office veteran, Barron will lead the webinars. She has more than 25 years of experience in business office operations and revenue cycle management, with extensive knowledge of registration, insurance billing, collections and reimbursement, as well as overall monitoring and reporting of accounts receivable.

To register for the October 19 session at 9 a.m. Central, https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/594759473.

To register for the October 21 session at 1 p.m. Central, https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/600210656.

According to Barron, self-pay is predicted to increase 20 percent to 40 percent over the coming year with the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. “Hospitals must become more proactive in identifying what has caused bad debt, and embrace the simple steps that can change this constantly growing number. A hospital’s financial viability depends not only on having the right systems and policies in place, but more importantly on having the tools to enforce and monitor those systems. In order to remain financially viable, we have to update our processes to accommodate the changes that have been forced on us,” continued Barron.

The October webinars will explore best practices for changing bad debt to revenue, by reviewing important but basic elements of a hospital’s revenue cycle:

-- Implementing appropriate policies for discounting, payment terms/plans and charity care

-- Monitoring and enforcing the execution of these policies among patient access staff

-- Ensuring front-end staff follows the same “rule book” as back-office staff

-- Consistently and accurately verifying insurance on the front end

-- Giving registrars the automated systems they need to correctly determine co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance upfront, per contracted rates

-- Eliminating the practice of small balance write-offs by resolving accounts at point of service

-- Ensuring point-of-service processes are adjusted to address the new PPACA regulations, such as identifying all patients who qualify for financial assistance on the front end and following the limitations on charges rules

A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

nTelagent provides hospital clients with the Retail Application for Healthcare, which allows them to consistently and accurately address point-of-service challenges: upfront determination of patient payment due, upfront collections, discounting of services, insurance verification, charity care, payment plans, price transparency, and medical financing assistance and enrollment.

About nTelagent, Inc.
nTelagent, Inc.’s Retail Application for Healthcare is the only point-of-service collection solution for the healthcare industry that settles all accounts on the front end – regardless of whether the patient is insured, uninsured or charity. Similar to applications used in the retail industry at the point of sale, the company’s Web-based system provides healthcare registrars and financial counselors with real-time scripts, telling them exactly what to do and what to say to each patient at the point of service regarding financial responsibilities. Visit www.ntelagent.com for more information.

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BillingTree Speaking at American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management ANI 2010

2010-10-08T08:14:25-07:00

Phoenix – BillingTree, Inc., one of the nation's leading on-demand payment processors, announced today its Director of Product Development, Holly Merrill (AAP), will be presenting in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on October 15 during the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) ANI. The ANI (Annual National Institute), now in its 41st year, is typically attended by over 500 healthcare administrative professionals.

Ms. Merrill's presentation will address the complex billing and payment challenges healthcare administrators face as they look to understand and manage new payment channels, remain compliant, and grow their practice by meeting the expectations of their patients.

"By its nature, Consumer Driven Healthcare is complex and filled with regulatory and client requirements, sometimes making the entire process overwhelming," said Merrill. "Healthcare providers are seeking ways to optimize their billing platforms and maximize their profits in order to be the consumer-driven expert and maintain the latest knowledge in payment technology."

Currently, Ms. Merrill leads BillingTree's product development utilizing her 34 years of payments experience to enhance the company's traditional payment offerings (check, electronic check, ACH, credit and debit card) to expanded services such as stored value accounts, mobile strategies, cash payments and other innovative payments tools. Prior to joining BillingTree, she served as CEO of Payments Resource One providing ACH Operator services, ACH Association Services, Check Clearing House, Point-of-Sale Network, audit services as well as nationally recognized payments education and certification programs. She has also served on NACHA's Board of Directors and Executive Committee and participated in the design of numerous ACH applications and ACH rules amendments.

BillingTree supplies the leading fully integrated, multi-channel electronic payment platform to a growing list of Industries, including Utilities, such as power, cable, municipal, and phone, as well as Healthcare and Subscription-billed services. Benefits of electronic payment solutions include an accelerated availability of consumer funds, reduced costs associated with manual-payment processing, improved cash management, and integrated processing by managing all payments, returns, and corrections through a single portal.

BillingTree Expands Agentless Online Debt Negotiation and Settlement Solution "Collect"

Healthcare identified as a key market where payments processing costs are dramatically high

About BillingTree
The proven leader in on-demand payment processing, BillingTree empowers customers with competitive advantage through a simplification of the billing and receivables process. By delivering the most innovative technology while making it as easy and inexpensive as possible to accept payments, BillingTree has revolutionized the payments landscape. Our software-as-a-service (SaaS) model delivers industry-leading payment solutions, proven integration, and point and-click simplicity. BillingTree’s focus on innovation has allowed us to help more than 1,500 customers eliminate manual processes and automate their payment cycles. BillingTree – Growth is our Business. For more information, visit www.mybillingtree.com or call 877.4.BILLTREE.

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Majority of ARM firms May Qualify for Tax Credit in Health Reform Law

2010-09-27T07:45:19-07:00

September marks some important milestones in health care reform for small businesses, and firms and employees in the accounts receivables management industry should take notice.

Starting this month, all insurance plans must pay for preventative care. Insurance companies can also no longer cancel coverage to people who are sick or deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.

While covered employees may sleep better knowing this, the provisions undoubtedly have operating managers at small businesses questioning, as they do every year, whether they can afford to offer insurance. But one important provision included in the new health reform law - the small business health care tax credit - may make it easier for more small firms to offer coverage.

The provision allows companies and small tax-exempt organizations with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent workers and an average salary of less than $50,000 to receive some portion of the tax credits, which begins with the 2010 tax year. Employers must pay at least 50 percent of employees’ health insurance premium, but that amount and any over that is eligible for the credit. Employers with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees qualify for the full tax credit – 35 percent - if the average employee salary is less than $25,000.

According to ACA International, the ARM industry’s leading trade group, the median employee count for member companies is 20, meaning half of its debt collection agencies have more than 20 employees and half have fewer than 20 employees. And salary.com puts the median base salary for entry level collection representative at $26,870.

ARM firm Buckles & Buckles PLC of Birmingham, Mich. expects to be one of the beneficiaries of the new tax credit. Partner Gerri Buckles said the debt collection law firm provides health insurance for its full-time employees and it hasn’t been easy, especially during the recession. But the firm continues to foot the entire premium costs for full time employees and their dependents because the partners believe that “if a person works full-time they shouldn’t have to worry about health care coverage,” Buckles said.

Even though more than 70 percent of ARM firms produce less than $2 million annually in revenues, many offer health insurance to their employees. At least 60 percent of the employees of small firms who participated in insideARM.com’s 2009 Best Places to Work in Collections award program said they were satisfied with the amount of healthcare costs paid for by their employers, suggesting most ARM employers are making meaningful contributions to employee health care costs.

Given the annual revenues of most ARM firms, their employee count and the IRS salary requirements, Mark Russell, director at ARM advisory firm Kaulkin Ginsberg, said it behooves the leaders at small debt collection firms to learn more about the tax credit.

“I believe that the majority of companies in the ARM industry today would receive some portion of the benefit,” Russell said.

The tax credit is available through 2013 and increases to as much as 50 percent of the premium contribution in 2014. But employers have to purchase their insurance through a health insurance exchange to qualify in 2014 and the credit expires in 2016 when the government assumes small businesses will have transitioned to buying insurance through health insurance exchanges to receive better rates and coverage packages.

The IRS has created a fact sheet to help small business owners determine if they are eligible. Qualifying companies need only file IRS tax Form 8941 with their annual tax returns to take advantage of the credit.

Sara Collins, vice president of the Commonwealth Fund, said small companies pay 18 percent more than large firms for the same health coverage. Most of the cost goes to administrative and brokers fees. She said the tax credit could offset that expense and allow small employers to reinvest the savings into their business.

Any amount the firm can recoup from the tax credit would be welcomed, Buckles said. The firm borrowed from its reserve fund to help pay the $100,000 in premiums for its full-time employees this year and it would like to begin replenishing that fund. The company also would consider plowing the money back into the business by investing in an upgraded phone system, she said.

“Even if it (tax credit) doesn't benefit us directly, it will be a shot in the arm to our local economy, which always helps our business, as people are better able to pay their bills. So, I am happy about it either way, because it will help many more folks get health insurance,” Buckles said. “In a civilized country, paying medical bills should not be a constant worry for so many hard-working Americans.”

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Ontario Systems Selects Connance Scoring to Power Healthcare Solution

2010-09-21T08:00:33-07:00

Las Vegas - Ontario Systems, a leading provider of accounts receivables and revenue recovery solutions for the collections and health care industries and Connance, Inc., a leading provider of healthcare self-pay solutions, today announced during Ontario Systems’ National User Conference that they have entered into a strategic alliance for product integration and development. Under this arrangement, Ontario Systems will embed Connance™ Scoring - including cash prioritization scores, collection workflow and treatment strategies - into their Collect SAVVY product line for the recovery of healthcare-related debt. Both parties anticipate that this innovative relationship will lead to new products and further increase the benefits for their respective clients. In addition to this announcement, Connance along with a shared mutual client of Ontario Systems, will be presenting the advantanges of this partnership during the session “New Ideas in Healthcare Sorting and Segmentation” during Ontario Systems Annual Conference September 20-22 at The Venetian Las Vegas Hotel Casino.

The strategic alliance constitutes a unique and transformative offering to the healthcare market. According to Tony Reisz, president and chief executive officer of Ontario Systems, “This partnership is a major step forward for our clients. By integrating the most innovative collection system on the market with the most innovative analytics and workflow models, Collect SAVVY users realize an immediate competitive advantage. With this joint alliance and integration, a Collect SAVVY user will have a complete and optimized collection platform for healthcare accounts. We are convinced that powering Collect SAVVY with Connance Scoring will have both immediate and long term benefits to Ontario System’s clients.”

“Connance is proud to partner with Ontario Systems. Like Connance, Ontario Systems is committed to bringing innovation to the healthcare revenue cycle. By offering Connance Scoring as part of the standard Collect SAVVY offering, Ontario customers will be able to benchmark and optimize their collection processes in ways never before possible.” said Steve Levin, chief executive officer, Connance. “This alliance also establishes a platform for continued development, with commitment from both organizations for ongoing innovation.”

Collect SAVVY is a collection system software solution which gives users the power to increase the effectiveness of their collections through innovation rather than effort. It not only measures cost, but controls and provides the flexibility to make agile business decisions. Connance Scoring, built specifically for healthcare receivables, segments and prioritizes collection efforts to improve cash performance while managing down costs. Connance Scoring is unique in its focus on expected cash value, the critical dimension for prioritization, and isolating likely patient payment behavior and recommending highest value work routines.

About Ontario Systems
Founded in 1980, Ontario Systems, LLC, is a leading provider of revenue cycle and collection management solutions for the health care and accounts receivable management industries. The company’s customers are among the nation's top 100 hospitals and health centers. More than 55,000 representatives in more than 500 locations – including nine of the top 10 U.S. collections firms – use Ontario Systems software and services. More information visit www.ontariosystems.com.

About Connance, Inc.
Connance addresses the cash flow issues facing the healthcare business office on a daily basis, particularly relating to self-pay. Patient-responsible revenue, already one of the fastest growing and hardest to collect revenue in the business office, is becoming more complex with increased scrutiny regarding charity eligibility and patient treatment during collection. Combining FICOTM Inc.’s world class technology and the experiences of leading healthcare networks, Connance's products are bringing new ideas and performance standards to healthcare receivables. Connance is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information visit www.connance.com or call (781) 577-5000.