Medical Cost Containment
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Wednesday, 10 Sep, 202508:00am09:00am
Discover how to turn price transparency from a regulatory requirement into a strategic advantage across revenue cycle management and payment integrity. This session will explore how hospitals and health plans can leverage pricing data to drive smarter audits, reduce payment disputes, and strengthen compliance, all while improving patient trust and financial outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how both hospitals and health plans can integrate pricing data into payment integrity processes to proactively identify discrepancies, minimize denials, and resolve disputes more efficiently.
- Learn best practices for aligning data sources, contract terms, and audit strategies between health plans and hospitals to ensure ongoing compliance with price transparency regulations and avoid penalties
Medical Cost Containment
Dave Cardelle
Chief Strategy OfficerAMS
Symone Rosales
Director of Revenue Cycle Regulatory ResearchSSM HealthAMS Intelligent Analytics
Website: http://www.amspredict.com/
Advanced Medical Strategies (AMS) is the premier provider of payment integrity, risk management, and business intelligence solutions to identify and address excessive claims, prevent and recoup overpayments, and effectively manage the risks associated with high-cost claimants and group health underwriting.
09:55am10:35am11:05amIndustry benchmarks to measure the impact of payment integrity currently don't exist, making it challenging to optimize performance and areas of opportunity. Standards are extremely complicated due to varied member populations and an inconsistent approach to calculating metrics.
In this groundbreaking panel discussion, learn how a Working Group of payer and vendor SMEs have been collaborating over the last six months to develop a standard approach to calculating savings PMPM across LOB and audit programs. This session will share standard definitions and calculations, so attendees can understand how to calculate and compare their savings PMPM.
Learning Objectives:- Learn about standard definitions and calculations for savings PMPM that apply to any type of plan, across LOB, region, and program audit
- Understand how to develop savings PMPM metrics that are comparable to a standard industry range
- Provide feedback on the approach to ensure benchmarks are applicable to your organization
- Access resources and expert guidance to support development of benchmarks
Payment IntegrityModerator
Natalie Clayton
Head of Market IntelligenceKisaco Research
Monique Pierce
Payment Solutions & OperationsCohere HealthMonique started her Payment Integrity career in COB at Oxford HealthPlans. After the merger with UnitedHealthcare, she led multiple teams and was responsible for creating innovative programs. Monique joined SCIO Health Analytics in 2014 and was responsible for system and process improvements before being promoted to VP of client engagement and business optimization In 2020, Monique joined start-up Devoted Health and created a full suite of programs from the ground up. Based on a passion for metrics and measuring performance, she centralized and standardized all programs reducing implementation time and maximizing savings. Today, Monique is driving opportunities to improve claim payment by designing and developing new prior auth and claim reconciliation products at Cohere Health.
Dr Priscilla Alfaro, MD, FAAP, CPC, CPMA, COC, CIC, CFE
VP Payment IntegrityBlue Cross NCDr. Priscilla Alfaro is a seasoned healthcare professional with extensive experience in executive medical management, fraud prevention, and healthcare analytics. A certified medical coder, fraud examiner, and auditor, she has a proven track record of improving healthcare efficiency and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse across various roles and affiliations, including the Texas HHS and Anthem.
Diagnosis codes and modifiers aren’t just billing details—they tell the story that determines how your claims are paid. When these elements don’t align, hospitals face denials, delays, and compliance risks. This session will break down how to accurately connect coding choices with billing practices to ensure claims reflect true clinical intent, reduce audit exposure, and secure appropriate reimbursement.
Learning Objectives:- Recognize the most common coding and modifier missteps that lead to denials and learn how to avoid them through stronger documentation and coding practices.
- Implement strategies to bridge gaps between clinical, coding, and billing teams—ensuring consistent, compliant claims that tell the right story from documentation to payment.
Revenue Cycle Management
Stephanie Sjogren
Director, Coding and Provider ReimbursementEmblemHealth/ConnecticareStephanie Sjogren is a director of coding and provider reimbursement, working with payment integrity to ensure proper claims adjudication and to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Prior to joining ConnectiCare/EmblemHealth, she performed provider audits and education at a women’s healthcare group. Sjogren has also worked with physicians and staff to integrate and use electronic health record systems effectively and to stay in compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ rules and regulations. Her areas of specialty are payment integrity, auditing, and clinical documentation improvement.
12:00pm01:30pmHospice care is meant to support patients in their final months of life, yet inappropriate or prolonged utilization continues to raise clinical, ethical, and payment integrity concerns. This session will provide critical insights into what constitutes appropriate hospice enrollment, how to identify red flags for overutilization, and strategies hospitals and health plans can use to ensure hospice services align with medical necessity.
Learning Objectives:- Understand the clinical criteria for appropriate hospice enrollment and identify common patterns of misuse that may lead to unnecessary costs and compliance risks.
- Gain tools and best practices for conducting eligibility reviews, improving documentation scrutiny, and collaborating across teams to prevent improper payments while supporting appropriate patient care.
Payment Integrity
Michael Devine
Director Special Investigations UnitL.A CareAs value-based care continues to reshape payment models, many health systems struggle to balance financial performance with care quality goals. This session will offer practical strategies to use denial data, coding insights, and care coordination metrics to strengthen value-based outcomes—without sacrificing revenue. This discussion will highlight how to engage teams, optimize processes, and identify sustainable financial opportunities within value-based contracts.
Learning Objectives:- Learn how to use denial patterns and audit insights to improve documentation, coding accuracy, and contract performance.
- Gain strategies to foster physician buy-in and leadership collaboration, finding “win-win” solutions that support both revenue integrity and value-based care success.
Revenue Cycle Management
Corella Lumpkins
Manager of Coding, Compliance and Provider EducationLoudoun Medical Group P.C.Corella Lumpkins is the Manager of Coding, Compliance & Provider Education at Loudoun Medical Group (LMG) - one of the largest and most diverse physician-owned, multi-specialty Accountable Care Organizations in Northern Virginia/DC suburbs. As a subject matter expert, Corella has over 35 years of experience working in every area of the healthcare revenue cycle. Corella holds a bachelor’s degree and eleven certifications with an extensive background in auditing, billing, coding, implementing corporate compliance programs, CDI, education, denial and practice management. Prior to joining LMG, Corella has held leadership roles at Lifebridge, Medstar, Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland health systems.
Corella is an author, adjunct faculty member and national speaker currently serving on both the AAPC National Advisory Board and Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS) Leadership Council. Corella works closely with providers in navigating patient-centric value-based care.
02:25pm03:05pmPayment integrity can be challenging to navigate, especially for smaller or regional health plans new to this field. In this session, experienced leaders will share their insights on how emerging trends - such as the growing use of AI and the increasing demand for timely data exchange - are shaping the field. The panel will provide practical advice on building a strong foundation, avoiding common challenges, and improving savings for plans at any stage of their payment integrity journey.
Learning Objectives:- Learn how to evaluate vendor capabilities and build strategic alliances that scale with your needs.
- Get a framework for launching a PI strategy appropriate for your plan’s size and strategic direction.
- Understand current trends such as the merging of fraud and integrity functions and the shift toward collaborative data-sharing.
Payment Integrity
Dutch Noss
Product & Strategy OfficerAlivia AnalyticsDutch Noss is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of expertise in Payment Integrity and Claims Processing, renowned for his pioneering approach to integrating responsible AI and machine learning into operational strategies. As Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Alivia Analytics, he drives innovations that improve accuracy within claims platforms. Dutch has held key leadership roles at various vendors and healthcare plans. A respected speaker at major healthcare conferences, he is recognized for blending deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge technology to shape the future of payment integrity.
Alivia Analytics
Website: https://www.aliviaanalytics.com/
Your most expansive Payment Integrity and FWA partner for medical, pharmacy, vision, and dental claims. This features our powerful, configurable Alivia 360™ Platform that provides pre- and post-payment flexibility and considerable cost savings across the healthcare claims management process. It seamlessly transitions between FWA detection and Payment Integrity solutions including clinical and non-clinical audit scenarios, first- and second-pass claims editing, and COB/TPL. Alivia 360™ not only ensures comprehensive financial oversight but full adaptability to operational needs. Alivia integrates AI as an assistant, not a replacement, prioritizing ethical use, human oversight, and compliance with industry standards. Our solutions are offered as SaaS or tech-enabled services that build strong cases against inappropriate billing practices, identify new recoveries missed by legacy vendors, deliver actionable analytics, and offer automated corrections. Alivia enables healthcare payers to streamline vendor management, improving control and strategic decision-making. Schedule a discovery meeting and demo.
Denial management isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about understanding why denials happen and fixing the root causes upstream. This session will focus on how hospitals and health systems can use audit findings and denial data to identify coding gaps, documentation weaknesses, and process breakdowns that lead to preventable denials. Learn how to close these gaps through stronger internal collaboration across revenue cycle, coding, and clinical teams, while also using data-driven insights to foster more productive payer relationships.
Learning Objectives:- Learn how to analyze denial patterns and audit results to uncover documentation, coding, and process issues—enabling proactive prevention rather than reactive rework.
- Discover best practices for improving internal workflows, fostering collaboration between clinical and revenue cycle teams, and ensuring that claims reflect accurate, defensible coding and clear clinical intent.
Revenue Cycle Management
Betye Ochoa
Director, Revenue Cycle RedesignNorthShore University HealthSystem
Kimberly D Conner
Subject Matter Expert
Colleen Cochran
Physician Revenue Cycle ManagerThe Christ Hospital NetworkSenior Revenue Cycle Manager with over 15 years of experience in revenue cycle management across health care networks like Mercy Health and The Christ Hospital Network. Key achievements include Increased revenue capture by 30% through process improvements and strategic initiatives. Reduced days in accounts receivable by 15%, enhancing cash flow management. Managed a high-performing teams consisting of 45+ professionals, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. My core competences are the result of my achievements throughout my 30+ years experience working in Physician revenue cycle with my main focus on Accounts Receivables.
- Data-Driven: Successfully identifies key trends, analyzes metrics, and implements strategic initiatives to drive measurable
results and enhance decision-making processes based on data-driven insights.
- Communication: Equipped with interpersonal communication skills and able to smoothly blend and interact with top
management, peers, and teams from diverse backgrounds.
- Leadership: Demonstrated success as a leader inherent in eliciting a team's best quality with a commitment to the highest
service levels. Leads by example with ethics and integrity.
- Critical Thinking: Use resources to make responsible decisions in a high-energy environment, adapt quickly to change and
time management, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines04:30pm -
Thursday, 11 Sep, 202508:55am09:00am
Payer-provider abrasion remains one of the biggest barriers to efficient payment, timely care, and operational success. Too often, denials, delayed payments, and prior authorization disputes stem from misaligned expectations, incomplete data, and unclear communication—not true disagreement. This session will offer a candid, solutions-focused discussion on what payers really need from providers, what providers can do upfront to reduce friction, and how both sides can work together to minimize rework, prevent avoidable denials, and create shared wins.
Learning Objectives:- Gain clear insights into how providers can proactively align documentation, coding, and authorization workflows to meet payer requirements and reduce denials and appeals.
- Learn practical approaches to improve data sharing, reduce ambiguity in clinical and billing documentation, and foster payer-provider partnerships that lead to faster resolutions and fewer administrative burdens.
- Explore strategies to move beyond transactional interactions and build trust-based partnerships between payers and providers—focusing on shared goals like timely care, accurate payment, and operational efficiency.
Medical Cost Containment
Jonique Dietzen
Payment Integrity DirectorCareOregonWith over 18 years of experience in healthcare billing and finance, I am a certified professional coder dedicated to ensuring accurate claims and proper reimbursement for providers. Having worked extensively on the provider side in finance and revenue cycle, I bring wealth of knowledge to the table, particularly in processing and payment integrity.
Throughout my career, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of billing challenges from both perspectives. This unique insight drives my commitment to improving billing practices and advocating for provider education. I continue to leverage my expertise to enhance billing processes and support providers in navigating the complexities of healthcare finance.
Mandi Heiple
Director of Payment IntegrityMedica
Dr. Ahmad Kilani MD, MBA, MLS, MSIT, CHCQM-PHYADV, FACP, FACHE
Medical DirectorCleveland Clinic
Heather Wilson
Vice President and Chief Revenue Cycle OfficerThe Christ Hospital Health Network09:55am10:35am11:05amAs AI use rapidly expands across health plan operations, understanding how these technologies will be governed is essential. In this session, experts will take a deeper dive into the current state of AI governance frameworks and the legislative landscape shaping their use. Health plan leaders will gain timely insights into what’s happening now—and what’s coming next—in AI oversight, helping them prepare their organizations for compliance, accountability, and responsible innovation.
Learning Objectives:- Learn how to assess, document, and monitor AI models used in claims review, fraud detection, and payment integrity to ensure they meet accountability, explainability, and compliance standards.
- Gain actionable insights into current and pending legislation on AI use in healthcare, and understand what steps your organization should take now to align with evolving regulatory expectations and avoid audit risks.
Crystal Son
Executive Director of Enterprise Data Analytics SolutionsHCSCCrystal Son is an Executive Director of Enterprise Data Analytics Solutions at Healthcare Service Corporation (HCSC), the largest customer-owned health insurer in the United States. HCSC provides access to care nationwide through Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas as well as through its broad portfolio of companies. Crystal has 20 years of experience in deriving intelligence from data and mobilizing teams to action.
At HCSC, she leads the Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships team, which leads key programs such as Payment Integrity, Responsible AI and AI Literacy and Workforce Readiness. She is passionate about real-world applications of data-driven insights, storytelling through data, and building high-performance teams.
Prior to joining HCSC in October 2022, Crystal held several roles at previous organizations, including delivery of data science advisory services, management of healthcare and government customer portfolios, and the development and launch of several new products. She began her career in data as an epidemiologist, first for the City of New York, then with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center but has called downtown Chicago home for the last 11 years.
Simi Binning
Responsible AI LeadHCSCSimi Binning is an accomplished healthcare professional with over a decade of experience in developing and executing successful strategies that drive business growth. Currently serving as a Responsible AI lead at HCSC, her focus is on AI governance and innovative problem solving.
As payers increasingly deploy AI and automation to accelerate denials and reduce payments, health systems must evolve their own technology strategies to keep pace. This session will share best practices for integrating AI, automation, and machine learning into revenue cycle operations—drawing on real-world examples from leading health systems, hospitals and practices. Explore the journey of implementing automation and machine learning while navigating governance, overcoming technical hurdles, and fostering adaptability across teams.
Learning Objectives:- Understand technical and operational obstacles in adopting automation and AI tools, and learn proven strategies to overcome them effectively.
- Gain insights into building flexible governance frameworks, supporting staff education, and fostering adaptability to maximize the impact of emerging technologies in your revenue cycle.
Deepak Nalli
Vice President Revenue Cycle OperationsSpire Orthopedic Partners
Seth Jeremy Katz
Vice President of Revenue Cycle and Health Information ManagementUniversity Health KC12:00pm12:00pm02:25pm02:55pmEngage with quick, interactive demos from emerging vendors as they present new and innovative payment integrity and RCM solutions. A panel of judges will award the "Innovator of the Year" to the vendor with the most promising technology or approach. Apply here to showcase your solution or sign up here to join the judging panel.
Medical Cost Containment03:45pm04:25pm04:55pmAccurate risk adjustment coding is a cornerstone of effective payment integrity, directly impacting reimbursement accuracy and audit risk. This session will explore how health plans can strengthen HCC coding through targeted audits, technology solutions, and coder education—ensuring proper risk score capture, reducing payment errors, and supporting defensible, compliant payment practices.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand common sources of coding errors and how to use audit findings, coder education, and feedback loops to strengthen HCC coding precision and reduce payment risk.
- Explore how strong auditing practices, clear documentation standards, and focused coder training can help health plans identify gaps, improve coding accuracy, and ensure compliance across payment integrity programs.
Josh Miller
Director, Payment IntegrityProminenceAs real-time data sharing becomes essential for care coordination, prior authorizations, and value-based care, hospitals and health systems face growing pressure to exchange sensitive information quickly—without compromising security. This session will explore how provider organizations can balance the need for timely data access with robust cybersecurity strategies. Learn practical approaches to mitigate risk, protect patient information, and build the infrastructure needed for secure, compliant data sharing across systems and partners.
Learning Objectives:- Understand key risks associated with real-time data sharing and learn strategies to safeguard PHI while supporting operational and clinical needs.
- Explore best practices for access controls, vendor oversight, encryption, and audit readiness to enable safe data sharing across health systems, payers, and partners.
Seth Jeremy Katz
Vice President of Revenue Cycle and Health Information ManagementUniversity Health KC
Jump to: Wednesday, 10 Sep | Thursday, 11 Sep
Meet the PI leaders
Payment integrity leaders and emerging experts from the leading health plans on the East coast will be coming together this May to share their insights on the trends and challenges of the market.
To view the full line-up view the agenda below or click here.
Cathy Newman
Managing Director Value-Based Strategy
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Cathy Newman is the Managing Director of Value-Based strategy for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Her experience in the healthcare industry spans over twenty years working for both large integrated providers, small IPAs, and health plans. In her ten years with Blue Cross, she has worked to advance value-based opportunities from pay for performance to full-risk global capitation models. She is passionate about her work and has been able to develop more collaborative and meaningful relationships with providers throughout the state of Rhode Island.
Monique Pierce
Payment Solutions & Operations
Cohere Health
Monique started her Payment Integrity career in COB at Oxford HealthPlans. After the merger with UnitedHealthcare, she led multiple teams and was responsible for creating innovative programs. Monique joined SCIO Health Analytics in 2014 and was responsible for system and process improvements before being promoted to VP of client engagement and business optimization In 2020, Monique joined start-up Devoted Health and created a full suite of programs from the ground up. Based on a passion for metrics and measuring performance, she centralized and standardized all programs reducing implementation time and maximizing savings. Today, Monique is driving opportunities to improve claim payment by designing and developing new prior auth and claim reconciliation products at Cohere Health.
Drew Satriano
Vice President of Payment Integrity
Highmark Health
Drew Satriano, a seasoned professional with an MBA, CPA, CFE, and JD, brings extensive expertise in payment integrity, accounting, auditing, and legal matters within regulated environments. Notably, he has spearheaded innovative initiatives resulting in a 968% increase in savings since 2014. His recent focus includes leveraging AI and technology for enhanced accuracy and efficiency in provider payment processes.
Michael Devine
Director Special Investigations Unit
L.A Care
Danielle Nelson
FWA Program Manager
PacificSource Health Plan
Danielle M. Nelson graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. In 2017, she received a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University.
Prior to joining for PacificSource Health Plans (PacificSource) as the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program Manager in 2022, Ms. Nelson spent seven years working in Special Investigations Units (SIU) of varying sizes at both for-profit and not-for profit organizations, allowing her to gain experience in investigating fraud for government-funded programs, ACA, FEHB, and commercial lines of business. Before moving into fraud investigations in health care, Ms. Nelson spent 15 years in finance, working in consumer lending and back-office operations.
Ms. Nelson is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the St. Louis Chapter of ACFE, and National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) and a participant with the Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership (HFPP).
Conor McCauley
Director, Payment Integrity Clinical Capabilites
Highmark Health
My name is Conor McCauley. I am the Director of Payment Integrity Clinical Capabilities at Highmark. Being a Critical Care nurse, it is easy to see there are issues surrounding healthcare funding. Inserting clinical insights into reimbursement methodologies can lead to affordability and improved patient outcomes. Clinicians are well positioned to make a difference here. My passion is developing an engaged team, effective processes, and surrounding clinicians with the right technology, data, and market insights so they can work at the top of their licensure.
Cathy Newman
Managing Director Value-Based Strategy
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
Cathy Newman is the Managing Director of Value-Based strategy for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. Her experience in the healthcare industry spans over twenty years working for both large integrated providers, small IPAs, and health plans. In her ten years with Blue Cross, she has worked to advance value-based opportunities from pay for performance to full-risk global capitation models. She is passionate about her work and has been able to develop more collaborative and meaningful relationships with providers throughout the state of Rhode Island.
Monique Pierce
Payment Solutions & Operations
Cohere Health
Monique started her Payment Integrity career in COB at Oxford HealthPlans. After the merger with UnitedHealthcare, she led multiple teams and was responsible for creating innovative programs. Monique joined SCIO Health Analytics in 2014 and was responsible for system and process improvements before being promoted to VP of client engagement and business optimization In 2020, Monique joined start-up Devoted Health and created a full suite of programs from the ground up. Based on a passion for metrics and measuring performance, she centralized and standardized all programs reducing implementation time and maximizing savings. Today, Monique is driving opportunities to improve claim payment by designing and developing new prior auth and claim reconciliation products at Cohere Health.
Drew Satriano
Vice President of Payment Integrity
Highmark Health
Drew Satriano, a seasoned professional with an MBA, CPA, CFE, and JD, brings extensive expertise in payment integrity, accounting, auditing, and legal matters within regulated environments. Notably, he has spearheaded innovative initiatives resulting in a 968% increase in savings since 2014. His recent focus includes leveraging AI and technology for enhanced accuracy and efficiency in provider payment processes.
Michael Devine
Director Special Investigations Unit
L.A Care
Danielle Nelson
FWA Program Manager
PacificSource Health Plan
Danielle M. Nelson graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. In 2017, she received a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership from Webster University.
Prior to joining for PacificSource Health Plans (PacificSource) as the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program Manager in 2022, Ms. Nelson spent seven years working in Special Investigations Units (SIU) of varying sizes at both for-profit and not-for profit organizations, allowing her to gain experience in investigating fraud for government-funded programs, ACA, FEHB, and commercial lines of business. Before moving into fraud investigations in health care, Ms. Nelson spent 15 years in finance, working in consumer lending and back-office operations.
Ms. Nelson is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the St. Louis Chapter of ACFE, and National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) and a participant with the Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership (HFPP).
Conor McCauley
Director, Payment Integrity Clinical Capabilites
Highmark Health
My name is Conor McCauley. I am the Director of Payment Integrity Clinical Capabilities at Highmark. Being a Critical Care nurse, it is easy to see there are issues surrounding healthcare funding. Inserting clinical insights into reimbursement methodologies can lead to affordability and improved patient outcomes. Clinicians are well positioned to make a difference here. My passion is developing an engaged team, effective processes, and surrounding clinicians with the right technology, data, and market insights so they can work at the top of their licensure.