Mgma Small Talk

Author and psychotherapist Britt Frank returns to the MGMA Insights podcast to discuss her new book, Align Your Mind. She and host Daniel Williams explore the power of "parts work," how to navigate the inner critic, manage stress during high-pressure times, and lead yourself with more clarity and compassion. Key Takeaways:00:45 — Welcoming back Britt Frank; Introduction to her new book, Align Your Mind; book availability at local and national retailers.02:15 — Why "Align" Your Mind, Not "Fix" It: Britt compares mental health to tire or spinal alignment — a shift in thinking about how we manage ourselves.06:10 — Introduction to "Parts Work": Understanding the mind as a system of different parts and voices; practical everyday examples (e.g., "part of me wants to relax, part of me wants to work").09:10 — How to Build a Relationship with Your Inner Critic: Instead of fighting it, validate it ("That's a little bit true") to deactivate stress responses.13:30 — Real-World Mindfulness: Daniel shares his retreat disap

In this episode of the Ask MGMA Podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Christy Good dig into one of the most urgent issues medical practices are facing: payer downcoding and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence in reimbursement decisions. Discover why evaluation and management (E/M) claims are being reduced without medical record review, how automated systems are affecting your revenue, and what actions you can take to identify, track, and appeal unjustified downcodes. Whether you're feeling the impact already or want to stay ahead of the curve, this conversation offers practical tips and valuable resources to support your team.Key Highlights0:53 – Welcome & Topic Overview Daniel and Christy introduce the episode and the rising issue of AI-driven downcoding.1:53 – What is Payer Downcoding? Christy explains how downcoding works, what’s changed with AI, and why it goes against CMS guidelines.3:19 – How AI Flags Claims An inside look at how AI uses historical data to decide what gets downcoded — a

In this episode of the MGMA Weekend Review podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss a range of pressing healthcare industry topics. The episode starts with an in-depth look at the proposed GOP budget plan that could significantly cut Medicaid funding, putting millions of Americans at risk of losing healthcare coverage. This is followed by a discussion on the harmful effects of medical gaslighting on patients, as revealed by a comprehensive Rutgers Health report. The hosts also delve into current healthcare staff turnover trends and highlight the importance of personalized mental health care during Mental Health Awareness Month. The episode concludes with a forward-looking piece on the FDA's plans to integrate AI in its drug review process by 2025.00:50 Introduction and Hosts Welcome01:28 Debate Over GOP's Proposed Medicaid Cuts (Chief Healthcare Executive)03:49 Impact of Medical Gaslighting on Patients (Medical Economics)06:59 MGMA Stat Polling Results on Staff Turnover (MGMA Stat)09:18 Gene

In this episode of the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Helen Falkner, Regional Vice President of Recruiting at Jackson Physician Search, and Dr. Miechia Esco, Chief Medical Resource Officer at Locum Tenens.com. Based on a groundbreaking report titled "Is Medicine Still a Calling?", the discussion explores physician satisfaction, purpose, and strategies for maintaining passion in healthcare.Key Takeaways:01:47 – Why the Report Was Created Dr. Esco explains the systemic challenges in healthcare that led to the central question: Is medicine still a calling?02:55 – Purpose and Provider Retention Helen Falkner discusses how a sense of purpose directly impacts physician well-being, engagement, and retention.06:39 – Why Passion Fades Over Time Dr. Esco explores how administrative demands dilute a clinician’s original motivation for entering medicine.08:20 – Four Keys to Organizational Alignment Helen outlines four ways healthcare organizations can align with providers’ values: co

In this episode, host Daniel Williams speaks with Dave Jenkins, healthcare executive at Cone Health and adjunct faculty at Winston-Salem State University. Jenkins shares his journey into healthcare leadership, the operational dynamics at Cone Health, and the evolving challenges in behavioral health. He dives into the critical role of technology, workforce engagement, and leadership development—offering valuable insights for anyone aspiring to lead in today’s healthcare environment.  00:50 Introduction and Guest Welcome02:00 Dave Jenkins' Career Pathway02:57 Overview of Cone Health04:15 Day-to-Day Operations at Cone Health05:33 Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare06:50 Leadership Principles and Approaches08:39 Addressing Behavioral Health Needs11:23 Workforce Engagement and Staffing13:45 Involvement with MGMA15:25 Educator Role at Winston-Salem State University17:14 Future Trends in Healthcare Administration18:52 Advice for Aspiring Leaders20:01 Conclusion and FarewellResources:MGMA Fellowship ProgramCon

In this episode of the MGMA Week in Review podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett cover key healthcare headlines, from the ongoing shortage of medical assistants and tips to close staffing gaps, to the leadership lessons in crisis response and fallout from the Change Healthcare cyberattack. They also share findings on nurse retention from McKinsey’s latest survey and close with a nod to National Nurses Week. 00:49 Introduction and Hosts01:36 MGMA Stat Poll Results (MGMA Stat)05:08 Healthcare Leadership in Crisis (Physicians Practice)09:12 HHS Restructuring and Interoperability (MedCity News)11:30 United Health Cyber Attack Fallout (New York Times)15:16 National Nurses Week and Leadership (Health Leaders Media)17:29 Conclusion and FarewellAdditional Resources:MGMA PlaybooksMGMA EventsMGMA ConsultingMGMA DataDiveMGMA StatMGMA PodcastsEmail us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to

This episode of the MGMA Member Spotlight Podcast features Robin Fagala, Practice Manager at Conway OBGYN in Arkansas. Discussing her groundbreaking advocacy for maternal health, Fagala shares her journey of addressing critical healthcare challenges, securing increased Medicaid reimbursements, and ultimately helping to secure a $17 million federal grant to improve maternal health outcomes in Arkansas. Episode Highlights: Healthcare Career and Professional Background01:22 Robin's 26-year healthcare journey03:32 Conway OBGYN practice overviewMaternal Health Crisis in Arkansas07:12 Maternal mortality rates and challenges11:28 Lack of Medicaid-accepting OB/GYN providers14:53 Financial impact on healthcare providersAdvocacy and Data-Driven Problem Solving13:11 Using MGMA Data Dive platform15:17 Developing comprehensive documentation16:53 Persistent communication with state leadersReimbursement and Healthcare Policy14:53 Detailed analysis of OB/GYN procedure code reimbursements15:17 Presenting financial sustainabil

In this episode of Ask MGMA, Daniel Williams and Cristy Good explore how medical practices can align their teams and leadership around a shared purpose by developing clear mission, vision, and values (MVV). They introduce MGMA’s new MVV Checklist and Culture Playbook, designed to help practices navigate change, improve engagement, and retain top talent.Key Highlights:00:54 – Introduction to the Ask MGMA podcast and today's focus on mission, vision, and values (MVV)02:35 – What are MGMA Playbooks and why they’re a key resource for practice leaders04:32 – Overview of the MVV Checklist: Why it was created and who it benefits06:26 – The first two steps of the MVV process: Preparation and stakeholder input08:00 – The importance of involving staff and stakeholders early in shaping MVV08:52 – How to incorporate MVV into operations, training, and employee evaluations10:27 – Future impact: How tools like the checklist can shape resilient, high-performing medical teams11:47 – Final thoughts from Cristy and Daniel on us

In this episode of the MGMA Week in Review podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss the critical issue of burnout among healthcare administrators and clinicians, stressing the importance of a mindset shift to combat repetitive negative thinking (RNT). They highlight insights from Steve Brewer's article on burnout and Barbara Frederickson's positive psychology research. The episode also delves into ways to improve the patient experience through communication, technology, and culture, alongside a discussion on the impacts of recent healthcare policies. Additionally, the podcast covers strategies for effective physician onboarding and recruitment, providing actionable tips and resources from MGMA members and experts.Key Highlights:00:53 — Introduction and Podcast Overview01:34 — Healthcare Leadership and Burnout (MGMA Article)05:35 — Improving Patient Experience (Physicians Practice)09:11 — Healthcare Policy Concerns (Medical Economics)12:25 — Onboarding New Physicians (AMA Article)15:22 — Phys

In this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Steve Brewer, Chief Operating Officer of GI Associates, to explore a critical issue facing healthcare professionals: the psychological impact of burnout. Through an in-depth conversation, Brewer shares insights from his personal experience and research, challenging how we traditionally approach and discuss workplace stress and mental well-being.Key Takeaways:0:01:36 - Personal Journey: Steve Brewer discusses his firsthand experience with burnout in healthcare leadership0:09:48 - Neurological Impact: Chronic stress physically changes brain chemistry, strengthening negative neural pathways0:14:19 - Broaden and Build Theory: Positive emotions can expand awareness and build emotional and social resources0:17:48 - Positivity Cycle: Small acts of kindness can create a chain reaction of positive interactions0:22:22 - Leadership Self-Care: Fewer than 50% of healthcare leaders take steps to support their own resiliencyActionable Takeaway

In this episode of the MGMA Podcast, Daniel Williams, Senior Editor, sits down with Dawn Plested, an MGMA consultant, and contributor to the MGMA book Advanced Strategy for Medical Practice Leaders: Operations Management Edition. In the discussion, Dawn talks about the importance and impact of administrative structures in medical practices. Dawn also discusses the significance of leadership styles, considerations for choosing organizational structures, and the need for regulatory compliance.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:52 Importance of Administrative Structures03:12 Leadership's Role in Shaping Structures05:55 Choosing the Right Organizational Structure08:08 Strategic Staffing Considerations13:59 Implementing Health Information Systems18:34 Financial Management Strategies21:49 Enhancing Patient Engagement and Satisfaction24:47 Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management27:19 Key Takeaways and ConclusionAdditional Resources:Connect with Dawn Plested on LinkedInMGMA Books (Dawn is a contributor to the M

In this week's MGMA Week in Review, hosts Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA, and Colleen Luckett, Editor and Writer at MGMA, discuss significant developments in the healthcare industry. Key topics include proposed updates to the HIPAA security rule, essential dos and don'ts for adopting a direct primary care model, the importance of digital communication in building patient trust, the rise of 'care now, pay later' financing options for medical debt, and state legislation to limit AI in insurance claims processing. The episode provides expert insights, policy updates, and actionable advice for healthcare leaders navigating these pressing issues.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:35 HIPAA Security Rule Updates (Chief Healthcare Executive)03:24 Direct Primary Care Insights (Physicians Practice)06:41 Improving Patient Trust with Digital Communication (MedCity News)10:04 Care Now, Pay Later: Medical Debt Solutions (HealthcareDive)13:16 AI in Healthcare: Legislation and Concerns (Health Leaders Media)15:53 Concl

What does successful RCM outsourcing look like in 2025? In this episode, Daniel Williams speaks with Chuck Rackley and Marvin Luz of Greenway Health about the evolution of revenue cycle outsourcing — from transactional support to fully integrated partnerships that deliver performance, accountability, and improved patient financial experiences.Chuck and Marvin share best practices for evaluating outsourcing partners, measuring ROI and compliance, and aligning technology to reduce denials and boost efficiency. They also provide guidance for practices hesitant to outsource and explain how to maintain transparency, visibility, and control throughout the process.Key Discussion Points[01:30] Marvin and Chuck share their career backgrounds in healthcare RCM[03:00] How RCM outsourcing has shifted toward strategic, tech-enabled partnerships[05:45] Why confusing and delayed patient statements impact satisfaction and collections[07:00] What to evaluate when selecting an outsourcing partner: expertise, transparency, tech

Guest: Lauren Howard, CEO, Clinical Operations Group | CEO, LBee Health | Founder, ElleTwo Host: Daniel Williams, Senior Editor, MGMASummary: In this episode, Lauren Howard shares how her personal experience with burnout inspired the creation of virtual mental health resources. She discusses why toxic work cultures persist, how remote work reshaped expectations, and what healthcare leaders can do to better support their teams.Key Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:16 Lauren Howard's Journey and Inspiration03:14 The Birth of LB Health and EllTwo05:03 Mental Health Services Expansion07:08 Pandemic's Impact on Burnout and Isolation09:26 Workplace Dynamics and Employee Well-being13:48 Reflections on Work-Life Balance18:06 Conclusion and Resources

In this episode of the MGMA Weekend Review, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss the latest healthcare industry news, including the impact of private equity on medical trainees, strategies to keep physicians offline during vacations, challenges in physician compensation, and the potential impact of new tariffs on medical practices. They emphasize the importance of proactive policy changes and operational adjustments to navigate these evolving challenges.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:55 Private Equity's Impact on Medical Trainees (Health Affairs)03:49 Physicians and EHR During Vacation (Health Leaders Media)06:59 Navigating Physician Compensation (MGMA Stat) 09:33 Trump Tariffs and Healthcare (Medical Economics)12:40 Conclusion and FarewellAdditional Resources:MGMA EventsMGMA ConsultingMGMA DataDiveMGMA StatMGMA Podcasts

In this episode of the MGMA Business Solutions Podcast, host Daniel Williams welcomes back Claude Royster, VP and GM of Health and Wellness at CareCredit and Synchrony. Claude shares insights on how rising healthcare costs are impacting patient decision-making and practice operations. He highlights why evaluating in-house financing solutions and exploring third-party partnerships can be critical for improving access to care and easing administrative burdens.Claude also discusses:Why one in two patients delay care due to costWhat providers are saying about financial barriers in care deliveryThe benefits of integrating third-party financing into EHR and billing platformsHow CareCredit’s solutions can help improve patient access, reduce provider risk, and streamline operationsKey Discussion Points:[02:30] Claude’s role at Synchrony and CareCredit[04:30] How economic trends and inflation are shaping patient behavior[06:15] Survey data on care delays due to cost[08:00] In-house financing: Opportunities and challen

Episode Overview: In this episode, MGMA consultant Adrienne Lloyd sits down with Jill Arena, a nationally recognized expert in medical practice operations, to discuss the growing need for financial fluency among physicians. Jill shares insights from her work with the Physician Leadership Project and offers practical strategies for improving financial transparency, navigating payer mix, and creating a safe learning environment for clinical leaders.Key Topics Covered:02:19 – Jill explains the financial literacy gap for physicians and how the Physician Leadership Project helps close it.05:44 – Medical training’s “knowledge shame” culture and why physicians struggle to ask financial questions.07:23 – Embezzlement is widespread: 83% of practices are affected. Jill discusses the urgent need for transparency and oversight.10:09 – Reframing capital requests: Jill shares how she guides physicians through financial trade-offs instead of just saying “no.”14:20 – “All patients are created equal, but all payers are not”:

In this week’s MGMA Week in Review podcast, cohosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett explore the tech and trends shaping the future of medical group practices. From AI chatbots transforming patient communication to new research on stress in the healthcare workforce, we cover actionable insights, policy shifts, and human-centered stories from the field. We also discuss how practices can navigate rising drug costs amid new tariff threats—and what it takes to rebuild the doctor-patient bond in a tech-driven world.

In this episode of MGMA Insights, Senior Editor Daniel Williams is live in studio with Julia Rosen, MGMA’s new Senior Vice President of Information Technology, to explore the dynamic intersection of technology and patient care in today’s healthcare landscape. Julia shares her unconventional journey from studying English to leading major IT initiatives at healthcare organizations, including her work at Epic, Centura Health and PeraHealth. Now at MGMA, she’s driving digital transformation efforts aimed at improving operations, enhancing patient experience, and ensuring robust cybersecurity across the healthcare industry.

Hosted by Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett, this episode of MGMA Weekend Review addresses issues in healthcare concerning AI compliance and clinician burnout. Drawing insights from the 2025 HIMSS Global Conference, the hosts discuss challenges and best practices for integrating AI within HIPAA constraints. The episode also highlights the importance of provider wellness, the ongoing struggle with prior authorization processes, lessons from disaster response, and strategies for mitigating clinician burnout.00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:30 AI and HIPAA Compliance Challenges (MGMA Article, MGMA Playbook)04:46 Provider Wellness and Patient Satisfaction (Physicians Practice)07:16 Prior Authorization Struggles (Fierce Healthcare)11:17 Disaster Response Lessons from Maui (Becker's Hospital Review)14:17 Clinician Burnout: Current Strategies and Statistics (MGMA Stat)18:02 Conclusion and FarewellAdditional Resources:MGMA DataDive — Benchmark data to guide smarter decision-makingMGMA Cybersecurity Playbook — Tools a