| Page 84 | Kisaco Research

Payer-provider abrasion remains one of the biggest barriers to efficient payment, timely care, and operational success. Too often, denials, delayed payments, and prior authorization disputes stem from misaligned expectations, incomplete data, and unclear communication—not true disagreement. This session will offer a candid, solutions-focused discussion on what payers really need from providers, what providers can do upfront to reduce friction, and how both sides can work together to minimize rework, prevent avoidable denials, and create shared wins.


Learning Objectives:

  • Gain clear insights into how providers can proactively align documentation, coding, and authorization workflows to meet payer requirements and reduce denials and appeals.
  • Learn practical approaches to improve data sharing, reduce ambiguity in clinical and billing documentation, and foster payer-provider partnerships that lead to faster resolutions and fewer administrative burdens.
  • Explore strategies to move beyond transactional interactions and build trust-based partnerships between payers and providers—focusing on shared goals like timely care, accurate payment, and operational efficiency.
Medical Cost Containment

Author:

Jonique Dietzen

Payment Integrity Director
CareOregon

With over 18 years of experience in healthcare billing and finance, I am a certified professional coder dedicated to ensuring accurate claims and proper reimbursement for providers. Having worked extensively on the provider side in finance and revenue cycle, I bring wealth of knowledge to the table, particularly in processing and payment integrity.
Throughout my career, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of billing challenges from both perspectives. This unique insight drives my commitment to improving billing practices and advocating for provider education. I continue to leverage my expertise to enhance billing processes and support providers in navigating the complexities of healthcare finance.

Jonique Dietzen

Payment Integrity Director
CareOregon

With over 18 years of experience in healthcare billing and finance, I am a certified professional coder dedicated to ensuring accurate claims and proper reimbursement for providers. Having worked extensively on the provider side in finance and revenue cycle, I bring wealth of knowledge to the table, particularly in processing and payment integrity.
Throughout my career, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of billing challenges from both perspectives. This unique insight drives my commitment to improving billing practices and advocating for provider education. I continue to leverage my expertise to enhance billing processes and support providers in navigating the complexities of healthcare finance.

Author:

Mandi Heiple

Director of Payment Integrity
Medica

Mandi Heiple

Director of Payment Integrity
Medica

Author:

Dr. Ahmad Kilani MD, MBA, MLS, MSIT, CHCQM-PHYADV, FACP, FACHE

Medical Director
Cleveland Clinic

Dr. Ahmad Kilani MD, MBA, MLS, MSIT, CHCQM-PHYADV, FACP, FACHE

Medical Director
Cleveland Clinic

Author:

Heather Wilson

Vice President and Chief Revenue Cycle Officer
The Christ Hospital Health Network

Heather Wilson

Vice President and Chief Revenue Cycle Officer
The Christ Hospital Health Network

Engage in focused, small-group discussions where payers and providers connect over specific topics, share perspectives, and explore solutions from both sides—offering a balanced, holistic view of key challenges and opportunities.

Medical Cost Containment

Denial management isn’t just about fighting back—it’s about understanding why denials happen and fixing the root causes upstream. This session will focus on how hospitals and health systems can use audit findings and denial data to identify coding gaps, documentation weaknesses, and process breakdowns that lead to preventable denials. Learn how to close these gaps through stronger internal collaboration across revenue cycle, coding, and clinical teams, while also using data-driven insights to foster more productive payer relationships.


Learning Objectives:

  • Learn how to analyze denial patterns and audit results to uncover documentation, coding, and process issues—enabling proactive prevention rather than reactive rework.
  • Discover best practices for improving internal workflows, fostering collaboration between clinical and revenue cycle teams, and ensuring that claims reflect accurate, defensible coding and clear clinical intent.
Revenue Cycle Management

Author:

Betye Ochoa

Director, Revenue Cycle Redesign
NorthShore University HealthSystem

Betye Ochoa

Director, Revenue Cycle Redesign
NorthShore University HealthSystem

Author:

Kimberly D Conner

Subject Matter Expert

Kimberly D Conner

Subject Matter Expert

Author:

Colleen Cochran

Physician Revenue Cycle Manager
The Christ Hospital Network

Senior Revenue Cycle Manager with over 15 years of experience in revenue cycle management across health care networks like Mercy Health and The Christ Hospital Network. Key achievements include Increased revenue capture by 30% through process improvements and strategic initiatives. Reduced days in accounts receivable by 15%, enhancing cash flow management. Managed a high-performing teams consisting of 45+ professionals, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. My core competences are the result of my achievements throughout my 30+ years experience working in Physician revenue cycle with my main focus on Accounts Receivables.
- Data-Driven: Successfully identifies key trends, analyzes metrics, and implements strategic initiatives to drive measurable
results and enhance decision-making processes based on data-driven insights.
- Communication: Equipped with interpersonal communication skills and able to smoothly blend and interact with top
management, peers, and teams from diverse backgrounds.
- Leadership: Demonstrated success as a leader inherent in eliciting a team's best quality with a commitment to the highest
service levels. Leads by example with ethics and integrity.
- Critical Thinking: Use resources to make responsible decisions in a high-energy environment, adapt quickly to change and
time management, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines

Colleen Cochran

Physician Revenue Cycle Manager
The Christ Hospital Network

Senior Revenue Cycle Manager with over 15 years of experience in revenue cycle management across health care networks like Mercy Health and The Christ Hospital Network. Key achievements include Increased revenue capture by 30% through process improvements and strategic initiatives. Reduced days in accounts receivable by 15%, enhancing cash flow management. Managed a high-performing teams consisting of 45+ professionals, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. My core competences are the result of my achievements throughout my 30+ years experience working in Physician revenue cycle with my main focus on Accounts Receivables.
- Data-Driven: Successfully identifies key trends, analyzes metrics, and implements strategic initiatives to drive measurable
results and enhance decision-making processes based on data-driven insights.
- Communication: Equipped with interpersonal communication skills and able to smoothly blend and interact with top
management, peers, and teams from diverse backgrounds.
- Leadership: Demonstrated success as a leader inherent in eliciting a team's best quality with a commitment to the highest
service levels. Leads by example with ethics and integrity.
- Critical Thinking: Use resources to make responsible decisions in a high-energy environment, adapt quickly to change and
time management, and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines