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HL Shorts: 3 Tips to Prevent Denials in Contract Negotiations

Analysis  |  By Luke Gale  
   February 04, 2026

Mercyhealth Vice President of Managed Care Bradley Olson shares the strategies he uses in contract negotiations to keep payers accountable. 

In the current era of persistenmportant than ever in the era of persistenly high claim denial rates.

In this episode of HL Shorts, Bradley Olson, Vice President of Managed Care at Mercyhealth, discusses how contracts can serve as a first line of defense against denials.  

Luke Gale is the revenue cycle editor for HealthLeaders.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

Health systems should insist on contract language that force payers back to the negotiation table if they make unilateral changes that cause a significant material financial impact. 

Providers should negotiate caps on aged receivables to prevent denials and medical record requests from limiting cash flow.

Establishing strong joint operating committees forces payers to meet face-to-face on a regular basis, preventing them from "hiding behind the veil" of technology.

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