July 2010 - Download Full Press Release
Cooper University Hospital selects Integrated Health Management Services, LLC, to maximize Medicare receivables.
Phoenix, AZ – Following a nationwide search, Cooper University Hospital chose Integrated Health Management Services, LLC, (IHMS) to assist with the billing and follow up of Medicare accounts 60 days or older.
Cooper University Hospital’s expertise in the neurology, cardiology and orthopedic fields made it a provider of choice for aging patients throughout the Cherry Hill/Camden and Philadelphia area. As the volume of these Medicare-eligible patients began steadily increasing, the hospital’s billing and recovery department was dealing more and more with one of the most complex payers in the industry. The sheer number of Medicare claims, coupled with a maze of complicated regulations surrounding the program, often made it difficult for the facility to collect all of the funds to which it was entitled.
In 2009, hospital administrators decided the key to increasing overall cash flow was to partner with an organization possessing specific expertise in Medicare and access to Highmark Medicare Services, also known as a Medicare Administrative Contractor or MAC. After narrowing down the list to three candidates, IHMS, a Phoenix-based health care receivables firm, met the criteria that hospital management was looking for.
Cooper University Hospital’s decision to partner with an outside billing and recovery organization was not an unusual one. Tough economic times and the need to expand in order to serve a growing, often aging, patient base has led many hospital administrators to seek more innovative methods of ensuring a steady revenue stream. With the help of IHMS, the hospital will be more financially equipped to continue its efforts to support the community such as the recent expansion of a new $220 million patient care facility in Camden, New Jersey.
“By utilizing the expertise of IHMS for aged and possibly complex Medicare reimbursement scenarios, my team will be able to focus on more effective billing practices and increasing revenue capture. Meanwhile, the dollars recovered by IHMS will help to further facilitate our mission and our commitment to the community,” said Charles Reitano, Director of Patient Financial Services for Cooper University
Hospital. “We are confident that we can shorten our days outstanding on our Medicare accounts by partnering with IHMS.”
For IHMS, the challenge ahead is to support the hospital’s mission to provide outstanding health services and medical care, while managing the ever increasing volume and complexity of third party claims. One way of meeting this challenge involves assigning case managers who already possess firsthand Medicare experience at the county or state level.
Bob Lamaster of IHMS affirms the importance of building a team with direct working knowledge of the Medicare side of the billing and recovery equation. “Because our people know the system from the inside out, they can easily identify and resolve barriers to payment such as filing, coding and electronic billing issues. They can also ensure that Medicare payers follow the contracts they have in place with providers to cut down the rate of denials,” Lamaster said.
These and other cash recovery strategies will prove invaluable to hospitals striving to maintain and even improve their quality of care in the middle of a recession. As hospital administrators seek more creative and effective ways to collect from Medicare and other third party payers, companies such as IHMS will help keep revenue streams open and flowing.
About Cooper University Hospital
Cooper University Hospital is the flagship of The Cooper Health System. It is the premier university hospital serving South Jersey and the Delaware Valley. Currently the core clinical campus for the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Camden, Cooper recently announced plans to expand its role as a leader in medical education and research with the creation of the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. This four-year allopathic medical school in partnership with Rowan University will seat its first class in 2012. Cooper is renowned for Signature Programs in cardiology, cancer, critical care, trauma, orthopedics and neurology. Cooper is in the midst of a $600 million expansion of its Camden Health Sciences Campus - including a new $220 million patient Pavilion which opened in 2008. Cooper continues its regional expansion with the opening of new and expanded facilities throughout Camden, Burlington and Gloucester Counties.
November 2009
We are pleased to announce that Larina Jacobs has just been promoted to Assistant Regional Manager. In her new position, Larina will be assisting Marcie Quijada in the setting up and management of new offices and engagements in California.
October 2009
Please join us in welcoming Robert Lamaster to IHMS as our Regional Vice President, Business Development.
Mr. Lamaster's responsibilities include maintaining current relationships with IHMS customers and creating new opportunities for prospective healthcare clients. He brings with him nearly 16 years of sales, marketing and management experience and is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in management. Since 2004, his professional affiliations include membership in the Healthcare Financial Management Association. Prior to joining the IHMS Business Development Team, Mr. Lamaster worked for a leading technology company in the field of hospital receivables management.
October 2009
IHMS is pleased to announe that David McNulty has been promoted from Vice President of Client Development, to Senior Vice President, Business Development. Mr. McNulty joined the IHMS Team in December, 2008 and has now accepted the responsibility for managing both business development and sales management functions across the country.
September 2009
We are pleased to announce the following promotions in the Phoenix office:
Gregory Thedford’s lead responsibilities have been assigned to Customer Service Lead in the Phoenix Office. Gregory started with IHMS as a Patient Financial Analyst and was promoted to lead in December 2007. Gregory has excellent customer service; we are looking forward to his valuable contribution to the Phoenix staff.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Alcala to Eligibility Specialist Lead in the Phoenix Office. Stephanie started with IHMS in May 2007, since then Stephanie has mastered AHCCCS eligibility, SSI MAO and Out of State Medicaid. Stephanie’s hard work, commitment and dedication have earned her the position and we are looking forward to see her grow with our company.
We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Irene Molina to Quality Control Lead in the Phoenix Office. Irene has been with IHMS since July 2006 as a Patient Financial Analyst. Irene has always made her self available and assisted with training new hires and has mastered AHCCCS eligibility. Irene is a great asset to IHMS and we are looking forward to her continued growth with IHMS.
August 2009
IHMS is pleased to announce the opening of another office. The new office is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
July 2009
IHMS is pleased to announce the following promotions:
Ron Robles - Supervisor - Tucson Operations
Stacey Furse - Lead Biller / Quality Control
We commend them on their years of service, commitment to quality and dedication. Please join us in congratulating Ron and Stacey on their promotions.
January 2009
IHMS is pleased to announce the opening of another office. The new office is located in San Diego, California.
December 2008
Please join us in welcoming David McNulty to IHMS as our new Vice President of Business Development.
David McNulty, V.P. Client Development, started his career in the healthcare industry in 1984 after attending San Diego State University. David has held executive positions in both the Sales and Marketing space with some of the largest revenue cycle management companies in the country.
David has been presented with both the Folmer Bronze and Reeves Silver merit awards for service to the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and has been a member of the Association since 1989.
November 2008
Please join us in welcoming Brad Betenson to IHMS as the Assistant Manager of the IT Department. Brad comes to IHMS with 9 years of IT experience. Brad is located in our Corporate office in Phoenix.
October 2008
Congratulations to Marcie Quijada, our new Regional Director of Operations. Marcie has been with IHMS since August of 1997 when she started as a PFA in our Tucson office. A year later she became the PFA Supervisor, and Manager of the Tucson Office in 2003. In October of 2005 Marcie was promoted to Operations Manager for Special Projects. Marcie will now oversee operations in Tucson and Santa Barbara. Please join us in welcoming Marcie to her new position!
Congratulations to Sara Sheats who has been promoted to Assistant Manager of the Tucson Office. Sara joined IHMS in October 2002 and has been a Supervisor in the Tucson office for over five years. Please join us in congratulating Sara.
September 2008
This month saw a number of changes to our management team. We are very pleased to announce the following promotions:
Larina Jacobs - Assistant Manager, Phoenix Operations
Estrella Lopez - Supervisor, Phoenix Operations
The following individuals have joined the IHMS family in key management positions:
Michael Kpodo - Supervisor, Phoenix Operations
Shanvonda Thrower - Supervisor, Denver Operations
August 2008
IHMS is pleased to announce the promotion of Amanda Mendoza to Manager of our Denver Operation.
June 2008
We are also pleased to announce the following promotions in our Denver office:
-
Wayne LaCrue - Manager, Denver
-
Amanda Mendoza - Supervisor, Denver
IHMS is also pleased to announce the following additions to our management team:
-
Mary Lizarraga - Manager, Santa Barbara
-
Chuck Garcia - Supervisor, Phoenix
December 2007
The Phoenix office moved to a new location. The new office represents a significant expansion of our Phoenix location!
December 2006
December was the month for inclement weather and Denver was the most affected office. The Denver office was closed due to a snow emergency on 12/21 and then again on 12/29.
June 2006
IHMS has been named an Arizona Company to Watch for 2006. This is an especially exciting time for the company as we look forward to another year of growth.
December 2005
IHMS is pleased to announce that Jim Hammond has joined IHMS as Vice President of Client Development in Arizona. Please join us in welcoming Jim to IHMS.
Ubaldo Gomez and Angelina Campos receive the Care-isma award by Cottage Health Systems. This is the first time the award has been given to non-hospital employees. The award recognizes their work at Cottage Hospital Santa Barbara.
