JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Martin, Director, Payer and Vendor Portfolio at Availity, the nation's largest real-time health information network, will take part in a panel discussion titled "Solving the Inaccuracy and Inadequacy of Provider Directories" at WEDI 2017, May 15-18, in Los Angeles.
On May 17, Martin and his co-panelists—Richard Gilbert, Director, Center for Program Integrity, CMS, and Sid Hebert, Director Integrated Provider Process Solutions, Humana—will discuss the enduring and widespread problem of inaccurate provider directories, as well as the data management solutions, such as multi-payer portals, that can recalibrate how provider data is collected, stored, and updated.
"Poor directories not only create barriers to care for health plan members, they also put consumers at risk for unexpected medical costs if they visit an out-of-network physician. For providers, it's yet another time-consuming data request from the dozen or more health plans with whom they contract," said Martin. "At WEDI 2017, I am looking forward to discussing how the industry can improve how provider information is updated and exchanged. With access to timely and accurate data, health plans are better able to manage costs, improve engagement with providers, and ensure members have the information they need to make informed healthcare decisions."
Availity has taken the lead in resolving provider directory inaccuracies, as well as other data management challenges that can lead to payer-provider abrasion and dissatisfied health plan members.
Availity's Provider Data Management solution allows providers to update and validate their critical business information with all of their participating health plans—and within their existing workflow—while also performing claims-related tasks, keeping revenue flowing and enabling providers to meet health plan and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) requirements.
Leveraging automated notifications, this solution reduces administrative burdens on both health plans and providers by addressing core components of value-based payments and maintaining a strong, collaborative network of providers and health plans.
In 2016, Availity was one of two companies to participate in a three-state provider directory initiative launched by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) to uncover strategies for better collaboration between payers and their provider networks to ensure that information is timely and accurate for healthcare consumers.
The initiative found a need to raise awareness among providers about the criticality of regularly updating their data with the health plans they contract with. Results also indicated a need for new incentives for providers to remain accountable, and a need for additional technical standards to improve communications between health plans and providers.
WEDI 2017 is the annual spring conference of the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), the nation's leading nonprofit authority on the use of health IT to create efficiencies in healthcare information exchange and a trusted advisor to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
The event will bring together top leaders in healthcare information technology seeking to engage in discussions around the driving forces behind an ever-changing healthcare environment.
A complete conference agenda can be found here.
About Availity
As an industry-leading, HITRUST-certified health care information technology company, Availity serves an extensive network of health plans, providers, and technology partners nationwide through a suite of dynamic products built on a powerful, intelligent platform. Availity integrates and manages the clinical, administrative, and financial data needed to fuel real-time coordination between providers, health plans, and patients in a growing value-based care environment. Facilitating over 8 million transactions daily, Availity's ability to provide accurate, timely, and relevant information is vital to the financial success of its clients. For more information, including an online demonstration, please visit www.availity.com or call 1.800.AVAILITY (282.4548).
Contacts:
Matt Schlossberg
Amendola Communications for Availity
mschlossberg@acmarketingpr.com
630-935-9136
SOURCE Availity