SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2005
NEW! Bonus sessions, included in your full registration fee, are offered from 1:30 pm–4:30 pm. Begin your educational experience early. Attend three consecutive, informative sessions presented by industry experts.
1:30 pm–2:30 pm
Bonus Session*
Thinking of Forming a Joint Venture? Valuation Issues to Consider
Kirk A. Rebane, Haverford Healthcare Advisors
Various valuations, economic, and financial issues may arise when an independent, freestanding imaging center considers merging with a hospital or hospital system. The magnitude of the issues increases greatly if the hospital or system is not-for-profit. In the formation of a joint venture, each side's contribution must be valued in order to determine the relative equity ownership of each of the parties post-transaction. During this session, the methods of valuing each of the contributions, as well as methods for achieving the optimal post-transaction allocation of equity, governance, income, and non-economic benefits will be discussed. Unique issues arising from the valuation of a hospital's imaging department will be explored along with various types of ancillary agreements, the regulatory concerns, and the methods of pricing or valuing the fair market rates for such agreements.
2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Bonus Session*
Service Blueprinting for Success
Devin Colvin, iAtrogtenix
Looking to improve efficiency within your organization, deliver better service to patients and referring physicians, and increase profits by locking in physician business? Learn how to use techniques called service blueprinting and gap analysis, to examine each step in the imaging center and radiology provider’s service delivery process and determine where “gaps” might exist. Find out ways to improve the communication between your practice and customers at key “touch points” and yield noticeable results in both customer loyalty and profits.
3:30 pm–4:30 pm
Bonus Session*
Revenue Recovery: Using Denial Information to Manage and Reduce Denials
Debbie Schardt, RN, CPUR, MedLearn®
Denials are costing providers millions of dollars each year and can be financially devastating. The key to improving revenue recovery is to implement best practice denial management strategies into your current processes. This session will review key elements and tools to assess, monitor and modify a program to ensure optimal overturn denial rates and increased revenue collection. Case studies specific to radiology coding and billing errors resulting in unnecessary reduced reimbursement will be reviewed.
* Continuing Education credits are not available for these sessions.
MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2005
8:00 am–9:30 am
ROUNDTABLES
Freeform discussion based on pre-submitted and current topics members want to address.
- Large Practice–Joseph A. Serio, CPA, MBA, FACMPE
- Small Practice–Cynthia G. Waystack
- Billing Service–Claudia Dwyer
- Imaging Center–Alicia Vasquez, CRA
10:15 am–12:00 pm
Keynote Address
Gutsy Leadership: Creating a Workplace That Explodes With Productivity, Passion and Profitability
Kevin Freiberg, EdD
The challenges facing companies in a global economy will demand more than conventional thinking and business as usual. The world is not changed by those who are unwilling to take risks. No Wimps! It takes GUTS to move an organization in bold new directions. Kevin Freiberg, EdD, co-authored with his wife, Jackie, a compelling new book called GUTS! Companies that Blow the Doors Off Business-as-Usual that will take you behind-the-scenes to examine how some unconventional leaders have the courage to buck traditional trends, follow their own path, and still make record-breaking profits.
12:00 pm–12:30 pm
RBMA Business Meeting
Find out what RBMA has been doing over the last year and where your association is heading in the future.
2:15 pm– 3:15 pm
Concurrent Sessions:
Making Heroic Service Really Happen
Liz Jazwiec, RN
How does employee satisfaction affect customer service? What steps can be taken to ensure patient satisfaction? Most organizations have a customer service program in place, and yet most organizations struggle to achieve excellent satisfaction. In this session, move beyond the whats and the whys and address the hows of customer service. Be prepared to understand the difference between outcome and perception and discover the true impact of recognizing heroes.
Better Practice Management through Benchmarks, RBMA 2004 Survey and Key Indicators
John J. Cergnul, JD, CPA and Randal J. Roat, CHMBE, CHC
Learn how to use benchmark information to improve your practice. The basics of RBMA surveys, the data collected, and the key indicators will be discussed, and shown how to use to identify areas of improvement for your practice. A panel of experts will debate the analysis process and discuss improvements. Those interested in comparing and contrasting themselves with their peers should attend this very dynamic and informative session.
Coding and Reimbursement Update
Walter C. Blackham, MS, RT(R)
This comprehensive seminar is designed to present authoritative, up-to-date coding information, a terminology review, and an overview of anatomy and physiology. Geared to individuals directly responsible for the coding of radiological procedures or submitting claims for reimbursement.
Key Trends in Oncology–What You Need to Know
Moira Feingold, MPA
As technology and capabilities in radiology and radiation oncology expand exponentially, it is easy to lose track of equally important trends in medical and surgical oncology that can affect business significantly. This interactive presentation will help you understand how changes in Medicare reimbursement to medical oncologists may revolutionize the way cancer care is provided in most communities, and what surgeons are doing to compete with radiologists and radiation oncologists. Find out how to monitor these trends nationally and in your own community.
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Concurrent Sessions:
Lighten Up–Simple Steps to Managing Morale
Liz Jazwiec, RN
A pleasant work environment is dependent on the interaction of the staff and how individuals manage their morale. Participants will be encouraged to evaluate personal current situations and future career goals. Techniques for managing up, providing clear communication and being a good leader or follower will be presented along with tips on how to stop victim thinking, accept change and be happy.
Denial Management Techniques
Charlotte L. Kohler, CPA, CPAM, CVA, CPC
Beyond defining the terms, imaging centers face denials given the scope of services rendered and the contracting issues with third party payers. This session discusses some key factors and provides guidance for dealing with denials within the imaging center.
Creating a Culture of Accountability
Marc Halley, MBA
Medical practice managers generally do a fine job of assigning responsibility and authorizing people to accomplish their assigned tasks. Like many management professionals, however, they have a more difficult time holding people accountable to accomplish specific outcomes within an acceptable timeframe. This session examines the critical factors involved in effectively assigning, authorizing and holding people accountable for their performance. Learn the fundamentals of effective delegation, coaching, performance measurement and accountability, as well as methods for creating the cultural momentum to sustain an accountability model. Each participant will complete an accountability self-assessment during the session, which will highlight areas for personal performance improvement.
Radiation Oncology Roundtable
Kathleen A. Dunlap
Freeform discussion on issues faced in the radiation oncology arena.
TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2005
8:00 am–9:30 am
ROUNDTABLES
Freeform discussion based on pre-submitted and current topics members want to address.
- HIPAA/Compliance–Patricia A. Kroken, FACMPE, CRA
- CAC/Managed Care–Suzanne B. Taylor, Michael A. Bohl, MHA
- Marketing–Katherine Schuler
- Radiology Practice Governance–Gregory M. Kusiak, MBA
10:15 am–11:15 am
Using Information Technology as a Competitive Advantage
Murray Reicher, MD
Information technology can be effectively used to enhance your clinical and financial success when implemented in concert with an overall strategic plan. Learn how to build a long term competitive advantage based on technologies designed to increase your internal efficiency while enhancing communication and marketing to your referral sources.
11:15 am–12:00 pm
ACR Updates
Pam Kassing, RCC
Radiology is facing many exciting challenges in the future. This session will provide an overview of the latest American College of Radiology advocacy initiatives on both the legislative and regulatory fronts.
2:15 pm–3:15 pm
Concurrent Sessions:
Emerging Technologies That Flourish in the Academic Setting
David Gorman
Whether it is by clinical research or in the face of questionable research, new technologies frequently get their start in the academic setting. The latest technologies and reimbursements emerging from the academic hospital proving ground will be discussed.
Improving Operations–A Case Study
Alicia Vasquez, CRA, RT
Hear how a small practice made big changes. This case study follows a group who went from dummy terminals, redundant paper processes, and very high billing costs to a billing and imaging center that many would now judge as a “best practice.”
I’m Invited to Sit in the Company Skybox, Is It OK?
Donald Bachman, MD
The concern that the objectivity of an individual decision-maker could be unduly influenced by gifts or entertainment has come under close scrutiny from the government, employers and professional groups. This session will cover the range of compliance regulations, as well as guideposts for governing one’s conduct.
Power Purchasing - How to Write an RFP
Patricia A. Kroken, FACMPE, CRA
Whether the practice manager is challenged with the task of finding a new billing service, purchasing a practice management system or identifying the best RIS/PACS solution, a standardized request for proposal (RFP) process provides a framework for comparison. The RFP also helps identify key requirements to ensure accurate pricing and appropriate product/service selection. This session reviews how to develop an RFP and walks through the process, which can be adapted to nearly every “purchasing” situation.
4:00 pm–5:00 pm
Concurrent Sessions:
Academic Roundtable
Michael J. Cortegiano
Freeform discussion on issues faced in the academic arena.
PACS–The Total Cost of Ownership
Eliot L. Siegel, MD
The major savings associated with PACS are not in film costs, but are primarily in personnel savings. The session will cover an economic analysis of the cost and savings associated with PACS and will focus on re-invention of the workflow of the department. Find out ways to maximize the cost effectiveness of a digital department.
Joint Venturing Heart Imaging with Cardiologists
W. Kenneth Davis, Jr., JD
There is growing interest of cardiologists in heart-related diagnostic imaging. This session will provide insight and briefly look at some of the reasons for this phenomenon. Find out how this movement presents both opportunities and challenges for radiologists and hospitals.
Outsourcing Night Call–The Promise and the Pitfalls
Joseph A. Serio, CPA, MBA, FACMPE
The shortage of radiologists and increased emergency room workloads has caused hospital-based radiology practices to seek staffing alternatives. Find out how to evaluate and implement the option of outsourcing night calls to a call service provider.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2005
8:30 am–10:00 am
Concurrent Sessions:
Stark III–Will It Really Happen
Thomas W. Greeson, JD
Public policy debate on how to deal with the increasing utilization, and costs, of diagnostic imaging services is growing. Policy makers at the state and federal level, as well as private, are looking at whether and how to deal with this issue. This session will describe some of the latest findings regarding utilization of diagnostic imaging services including recommendations of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to Congress on how to deal with the utilization of imaging services. In addition, the possibility of amendments to the Stark law and regulations to further curtail self-referral will be described. The potential acceptability of the ACR designate physician imager (“DPI”) initiative will be evaluated.
Facilitation, Mediation and Conflict Resolution
Lynn Litow Flayhart, MBA, MEd
Profitable radiology practices can suffer when individual differences between doctors and staff or organizational conflict remain untreated. This session will help you to practically confront and find sustainable solutions to conflict situations, recognize when to use facilitations, mediation, or other methods of conflict resolution and maintain a work environment conducive to optimum patient and employee satisfaction.
Reducing the Risk of Malpractice in Breast Imaging
Bonnie Rush, RT(R)(M)(QM)
What are the many challenges that practices face in the process of breast imaging? Hear how these challenges can entangle a facility into avoidable litigation. The most common reasons for malpractice suits will be discussed, and actions to minimize these risks will be detailed. This session will also provide a roadmap for continuity of care to reduce the potential for mammography facility or personnel related litigation.
10:30 am–12:00 pm
Radiology and the Future of Health Care
Jeffrey C. Bauer, PhD
Beginning with his current forecast for the future of healthcare, Dr. Bauer will explore the exciting interplay of medical science and information technologies that are defining a new realm of possibilities for diagnostic imaging. Special attention will be given to practical steps that radiology groups can take to respond to challenges and harness opportunities in competitive, consumer-driven markets. National health policy issues will be also reviewed.
