Linda B

Experienced HIM/Privacy and Medical Staff Services professional with a record of consistent accomplishment in directing cost-efficient projects/health information/healthcare operations with an extensive track record in HIM interim management and Medical Staff Credentialing as well as systems implementation in overall revenue cycle operations. Reduced uncoded accounts by over five million dollars in several university medical centers and other significant dollar amounts in smaller organizations where coding and clerical operations are restructured resulting in streamlining the overall record completion process. Worked with IT to update system parameters for deficient/delinquent records and refine all EMR HIM applications (Cerner and Epic).

Implemented 3Ms CAC/CDI in multiple facilities (Epic). Oversite of multiple EMR migration projects. Trained HIM staff on the correct workflows for chart deficiency entry/reporting and ROI in all engagements (Cerner and Epic).

Contract HIM Director - People 2.0 - Minnesota and California

(2024 - 2024)

Provided interim HIM management in two different critical access facilities.

• Outsourced coding due to coding attrition and ongoing coder recruitment challenges
• Created internal Union Coder and Outsourced vendor partnership
• Refined Epic clerical workflow to reduce analysis TAT from over 30 days to 1
• Redefined productivity standards to process ROI requests in less than 15 days
• Obtained bids to destroy records in multiple non-compliant, severely damaged storage areas and created a plan to retain those records not yet eligible for destruction
• Improved clerical staff morale and retention by implementing flexibility of working hours
• Defined coding productivity standards for all patient types
• Addressed long standing privacy issues as well as ensuring that healthcare providers have a clear understanding of minor rights related to access of their PHI

Clinic and Physician Practice settings - WSI - Denver, CO

(2018 - 2024)

Temporary Placement in clinic and physician practice settings across multiple years.

• Redesigned Insurance Authorization Process in a busy Oncology practice
• Performed insurance authorization at a large medical practice
• Scanned 3 months of backlogged medical records
• Performed data integrity functions
• Scheduled and performed all medical record functions for multiple practices

Contract HIM Consultant - American Consultants/The Healthcare People - Overland Park, KS

(2015 - 2022)

Contract HIM Consultant across multiple years providing interim HIM management and consulting services.

• Provided interim HIM management at five different (5) critical access facilities for all HIM functions
• Provided ongoing training in ICD-10 for both coders and non-coders
• Restructured coding operations
• Acted as Interim Privacy Officer in designated facilities
• Responsible for medical staff credentialing, responsible for oversight of the function as well as performing all medical staff related activities
• Developed reporting dashboard for monitoring HIM performance

Interim HIM Operations Manager - University Medical Center - Las Vegas, NV

(2021 - 2021)

Provided interim HIM operations management in a 500-bed academic teaching facility.

• Worked with ROI team to eliminate backlog and redesigned all clerical workflows

Interim Executive Director of HIM - B.E. Smith - Albuquerque, NM

(2019 - 2020)

Provided interim HIM management in a 500-bed academic teaching facility.

• Restructured CDI and improved the staff morale and implemented metrics resulting in recovery of over one (1) million dollars
• Eliminated six (6) month scanning backlog and partnered with Departments to send documents to HIM with appropriate identification labels which enhanced turnaround time

Project Management/Interim HIM Director - Independent Consultant - Jerseyville, IL

(2018 - 2018)

Performing multiple assigned projects within HIM and Patient Financial Services.

• Interned for thirty (30) days in the Patient Financial Services Department positing charges and performing daily close
• Provided EMR optimization recommendations and recommended a hospital physician practice utilize an interface between CPSI and Next Gen

Interim HIM Director - Primeau Consulting - Burlingame, CA

(2016 - 2024)

Provided interim HIM management in acute care facilities on project basis.

• Provided interim HIM management over a four-campus acute care facility
• Provided interim HIM management over a two-campus acute care facility
• Coordinated a reduction in force and as a result facilitation of the redesign of multiple HIM workflows

HIM Consultant - Change Healthcare/Altegra Health/The Coding Source - Los Angeles, CA

(2011-05 - 2016-11)

Project-based HIM consulting services.

• Served as an Interim HIM Director on multiple engagements
• Provided interim HIM management in five acute care facilities with a primary focus on coding centralization
• Served as a Health System Project Manager for CAC/CDI for multiple hospital campuses in Southern California

Senior HIM Consultant - Precyse Solutions/Quadramed - Alpharetta, GA

(1993-02 - 2011-02)

Project-based senior HIM consulting with focus on systems implementation and interim management.

• Provided assistance in implementing HIM/UR/QA software applications in hospitals and other types of healthcare facilities
• Provided interim HIM management in multiple operations including assistance with system implementations and upgrades
• The majority of assignments were interim management of HIM/Medical Record/Privacy/Compliance operations, pending recruitment of a permanent manager
• Performed operational assessments, implementation assistance and client training for McKesson/Horizon Patient Record/business office products
• Evaluated and optimized Epic/OnBase HIM workflow to meet enhanced revenue cycle initiatives
• Acted as quality analyst, responsible for department reporting and core measure data abstraction
• Provided multi-site management with cross training of staff in order to improve HIM productivity and workflow
• Prepared HIM department for total outsourcing through current employee assessment, trained new staff in all aspects of HIM functions and responsibilities
• Re-worked internal and external operations to improve department's coding process to reduce DNFB, as well as eliminating ROI backlog
• Assessed operations of internal clinics in order to standardize enterprise business practices
• Provided oversight of clinical documentation improvement program
• Analyzed and implemented clinical documentation improvement (CDI) and computerized assisted coding (CAC) applications in multiple HIM departments
• Oversite of medical staff credentialing processes in multiple hospitals
• Assisted in TJC and DNV and state survey preparation and maintenance of ongoing survey readiness

Master of Arts - Health Informatics and Information Management - College of St. Scholastica (2004 - 2004)

Post Graduate Certificate - Health Information Management - Northeastern (1986 - 1986)

Bachelor of Arts - University of Colorado (1985 - 1985)