One hot topic in many healthcare organizations today is revenue cycle management. We typically do not get paid when services are rendered, nor do we get the full cost of providing that care. As a result, we incur costs for facilities, supplies, and labor that must be covered. The ultimate goal of revenue cycle management is to convert services into the correct amount of cash reimbursement. This can be a bit difficult for medical practices. One reason is that providers often forget it is a business.
Discuss the two reasons that support the importance of provider involvement in revenue cycle management.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Importance of Provider Involvement in Revenue Cycle Management
In the complex landscape of healthcare, effective revenue cycle management (RCM) is vital for the financial health of medical practices. Despite the critical nature of RCM, there remains a disconnect between clinical providers and the business aspects of healthcare. This disconnect can negatively impact the revenue cycle, making provider involvement essential for optimizing cash flow and operational efficiency. Below are two key reasons that underscore the importance of provider involvement in revenue cycle management.
1. Clinical Insight Enhances Accuracy in Coding and Billing
One of the primary roles of healthcare providers is delivering patient care, which inherently involves documenting services rendered accurately. Providers’ clinical insights are crucial in ensuring that coding and billing reflect the true nature of the services performed. Accurate coding is essential because it directly affects reimbursement rates from insurance providers and government programs.
Impact on Revenue
When providers are actively involved in RCM, they can help ensure that:
– Procedures are Properly Documented: Providers are in the best position to document the specifics of patient encounters, which helps coders assign the correct codes. Comprehensive documentation can prevent undercoding or overcoding, both of which can lead to financial discrepancies.
– Compliance with Regulations: Providers can offer insights into the clinical necessity of services, ensuring adherence to payer guidelines and regulations. This reduces the likelihood of claim denials due to improper coding or lack of medical necessity.
By engaging in RCM processes, providers contribute to a more efficient billing cycle that minimizes errors, reduces claim denials, and ultimately enhances revenue generation.
2. Providers Drive Patient Engagement and Financial Literacy
Healthcare providers are often seen as the primary point of contact for patients, which places them in a unique position to educate patients about their financial responsibilities. When providers take an active role in RCM, they can improve patient engagement around billing processes and payment expectations.
Impact on Patient Collections
– Communicating Financial Expectations: Providers can inform patients about what to expect regarding costs for services before they receive care. Transparent communication about insurance coverage, co-pays, and out-of-pocket expenses fosters trust and understanding.
– Encouraging Timely Payments: By discussing financial implications during consultations, providers can encourage patients to take responsibility for their healthcare costs. This proactive approach can lead to faster payments and improved collection rates.
Moreover, engaged providers can assist patients in navigating financial assistance programs or payment plans, making it easier for patients to pay their bills. When patients feel informed and supported, they are more likely to comply with payment requests, further enhancing revenue flow for medical practices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, provider involvement in revenue cycle management is vital for two fundamental reasons: enhancing accuracy in coding and billing through clinical insight and driving patient engagement regarding financial responsibilities. By recognizing the business aspect of healthcare and actively participating in RCM processes, providers can help ensure that their practices not only deliver quality care but also maintain financial viability. In a healthcare landscape where revenue is often difficult to secure, leveraging provider involvement becomes a key strategy for success.
