47
CODING
&
BILLING
Optum adds new partnership model
to outpatient strategy with latest
health system deal — 3 insights
By Angie Stewart
E
den Prairie, Minn.-based Optum
has broken from its pattern of
acquiring physician practices, out-
patient clinics, urgent care facilities and
surgery centers with plans to take over
John Muir Health's non-clinical func-
tions, according to Forbes contributor
Bruce Japsen.
ree insights:
1. e new partnership model is intended
to allow the Walnut Creek, Calif.-based
John Muir to remain independent while
providing quality care. About 540 John
Muir Health employees will become part
of Optum, the health services unit of
UnitedHealth Group, as part of the deal.
2. Optum's executives expect other local
health systems will be interested in similar
partnerships where Optum takes on IT,
revenue cycle management, analytics, pur-
chasing and claims management services,
Mr. Japsen said.
3. During Minnetonka, Minn.-based
UnitedHealth Group's second-quarter
earnings call, OptumInsight CEO Eric
Murphy indicated the new partnership is
a sign of ones to come.
"We're already in discussions with several
high-performing independent commu-
nity-based systems and look forward
to establishing continued partnerships,
similar to John Muir Health, with health
systems across the industry," Mr. Murphy
said.
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3 key ways to improve
revenue cycle
performance
By Rachel Popa
R
evenue cycle performance is key to
running a successful practice, ac-
cording to medical news site Mnet
News.
Three revenue cycle tips:
1. Track performance. Analyzing data
is the most effective way of improving
revenue cycle performance. Revenue cycle
data can help staff determine where there
are areas for improvement.
2. Rethink claims denial management.
Claim denials can cut into profits. A claim de-
nial prevention system can track claims and
flag errors before claims are processed.
3. Spend less. Cutting costs by adopting
technology such as automation can help ASCs
spend less on labor and human error.
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