Hospital leaders are increasingly turning to automation to streamline revenue cycle operations, but should some processes be left behind?
Welcome to our June 2024 cover story. Each month, our editors will be taking a deep dive into the topics that matter most to you in our cover story series. From ways to win the payer/provider war to taking back your physician practice, we have a lot of stories up our sleeves this year.
So what did we look into this month? Well, hospital leaders are facing increasing pressure to streamline operations and optimize efficiency to keep pace with the industry's dynamic changes.
This pressure is particularly acute in the revenue cycle, where the implementation of automated solutions has become a must. But while automation offers numerous benefits including improved accuracy, speed, and efficiency, can there be too much of a good thing?
By identifying which aspects of the revenue cycle are best suited for automation and which are not, hospital leaders can effectively optimize their revenue cycle operations and position their organizations for success.
Jasmyne Ray is the revenue cycle editor at HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
While automation offers numerous benefits, there are areas that require a human touch for optimal outcomes.
Automation allows staff to work on more complex tasks, leading to job description revisions and opportunities for upskilling.
While automation simplifies processes like registration and check-in, maintaining patient communication and personalization in healthcare settings is essential.