FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 13, 2020

The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) Creates National Patient Financial Advocate Task Force

Fairfax, VA- The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM), the leading professional association focused exclusively on the healthcare revenue cycle, announces the formation of a National Patient Financial Advocate Task Force.  The Task Force will be responsible for reviewing industry standards, practices, and procedures regarding healthcare patient financial engagements.  The goals of the Task Force are to develop new education and resources to help patients better understand their role and their access to useful information.  The Task Force will also create a healthcare patient financial advocacy code of ethics and will ask AAHAM member business partners to agree to these standards. The Task Force will be responsible for drafting recommendations for the profession as healthcare continues to change and their roles also continue to change, as they become a more important resource during a patient engagement.

Patient responsibilities in healthcare are much different than other industries.  AAHAM understands this and intends to be the industry leader in providing a framework within which the provider, the patient and the patient financial advocate can operate.

“I am pleased to announce the formation of the new AAHAM National Patient Financial Advocate Task Force, and the appointment of Kenny Koerner, CRCE, AAHAM Second Vice President as Chair” said AAHAM President, Lori Sickelbaugh, CRCE.  “It’s an exciting development for AAHAM, especially during these challenging times.  The Task Force will play an important role in developing materials to better serve patients and provide support to help with the understanding of their medical bills.  The Task Force brings together thought leaders from several industries, all offering unique expertise and leadership” added Sickelbaugh.    

“I’m excited to head this new Task Force” stated Kenny Koerner, AAHAM Second Vice President and Task Force Chair.  “AAHAM has seen a shift in the profession and  growth in its role and believes now is a critical time to begin these discussions.  In good times our patients need us, but during a global pandemic like we are seeing now, they need us even more. This Task Force will set the path forward for patients and their advocates” added Koerner.

Those appointed to AAHAM’s National Patient Financial Advocate Task Force include:

• John Currier, CRCE, AAHAM Chair of the Board, Fairfax, VA
• Shawn Gretz, President, Americollect, Manitowoc, WI
• Kristina Gursky, CRCP, Director, IC System, St. Paul, MN
• Deborah Kelly, CEO, MyCare Finance, Inc., Tampa Bay, FL
• Kenny Koerner, CRCE, AAHAM Second Vice President, Fairfax, VA
• Richard Lovich, Esquire, Managing Partner, Stephenson, Acquisto & Colman, Inc., Burbank, CA   
• Paul Miller, PPC, LCP, Principal, Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, Fairfax, VA
• Amy Mitchell, CRCE, Director, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT
• Timothy Moore, CRCP, CEO, Marcam Associates, Rochester, NH
• Chris Morgan, President, R3 Dynamics, St. Charles, MO
• Richard Rogers, CRCE, Vice President, AR-Solutions, Scottsbluff, NE

“AAHAM continues to prove its vital role in the profession” stated John Currier, CRCE, AAHAM Chair of the Board.  “With this Task Force, we have an opportunity to begin the discussion of a larger role for patient financial advocates when it comes to working with, and supporting patients in understanding this complex maze of healthcare” added Currier. 

Healthcare continues to be a challenge for patients to understand.  During this global pandemic, the challenges have become even greater.  AAHAM’s National Patient Financial Advocate Task Force will play an important role in the path forward on healthcare changes and how patients receive services and support.

ABOUT AAHAM

The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) is a national professional association of thirty chapters and over 3,000 healthcare revenue cycle professionals from hospitals, clinics, billing offices, allied vendors, physicians and multi physician groups.  AAHAM members direct the activities of the thousands of people employed in the healthcare industry. 

AAHAM is the preeminent professional organization for revenue cycle professionals and is known for its prestigious certification and educational programs; professional development of its members is one of the primary goals of the association.  AAHAM actively represents the interests of its members through a comprehensive program of legislative and regulatory monitoring and participation in industry groups.  For more information on AAHAM and its programs, please visit www.aaham.org or contact AAHAM, 703.281.4043.

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