Conference Conversations: Brant offers insight into recovery auditor programs

CDI Blog - Volume 10, Issue 43

Editor’s Note: Over the coming weeks leading up to the conference, we’ll take some time to introduce members to a few of this year’s speakers. The conference takes place May 9-12, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.Today, we spoke with Barbara Brant, MPA, RN, CCDS, CDIP, CCS, a senior consultant with Cotiviti Health Care, presenting “CDI Specialists: Impact Potential in the Audit Process.” Since 2005, she has been involved in the development, implementation, and auditing of CDI programs. Brant has assisted health systems with ICD-10 Gap Analyses and created ICD-10-CM educational materials for specialty physician groups. Currently, she provides training and clinical support for DRG auditors. She lives in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania with her husband Marty.

Q: What do you think CDI specialists’ biggest misconceptions about the Recovery Auditor program are?

A: There are really three main misconceptions:

  1. Denials are determined without complete review of the documentation
  2. Recovery Auditor’s only look for “gotcha” errors
  3. CMS Recovery Audit programs are performed to only take back

Q: Recovery Auditors are not at the top of anyone’s best friend list in healthcare, but what important purpose do they serve?

A: The goal of any audit is to identify problematic issues. The purpose of CMS’ Recovery Auditors is to identify and prevent improper payments. Therefore, Recovery Auditors serve a purpose by encouraging healthcare providers to work for solutions to correct identified problems, stabilize provider revenue cycles, and ensure accurate payments for payers.

Q: What are three things attendees can expect from your session?

A: The three things that attendees can expect are

  1. To understand that Recovery Auditors perform very comprehensive reviews of all documentation provided.
  2. To obtain knowledge that the guidance for recommended reimbursement changes (higher or lower) is based on extensive peer-reviewed research of best-practices, clinical consensus data and Official Coding Guidelines.
  3. To use information from this session for improved denial data due to CDI performance improvements.

Q: In what ways does your session challenge CDI professionals to think outside the box?

A: To encourage use of retrospective audit data to concurrently improve problematic documentation

Q: What are you most looking forward to about this year’s conference?

A: Interaction with colleagues and to stay updated on CDI’s expanding roles within the revenue cycle

Q: Fun question: what’s your favorite movie?

A: A Christmas Story – a perfectly imperfect loving family!

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