How to Close the Skills Gap by Reskilling Employees

2023 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of First Citizens Bank

As the marketplace changes, so do the skills you need from your team. In fact, a 2022 survey from PwC found that 39% of employees don’t feel they’re getting sufficient training in digital and technology skills from their employers. In some cases, employers may seek new people to fill gaps—but reskilling employees may be an even better and more cost-effective approach.

Reskilling means to train current team members for the new skills your business needs. You may need to reskill employees if your business shifts strategies, undergoes economic pressures, eliminates jobs due to automation or experiences a large-scale disruption like COVID-19.

Reskilling also supports business continuity efforts by ensuring that other staff members can handle tasks outside their normal scope if an employee isn’t available due to sickness, vacation or leaving the company without notice. Plus, reskilling is often less costly than recruiting, hiring and onboarding new employees.

How to start reskilling employees

The first step in the process is to identify your skills gap. Look at the changes happening in your industry and the requirements your future workforce will need to master. Create a new job description for the role, as if you were hiring a new employee. Identify any of your current employees who already possess some or all of these skills. Then, determine where other employees’ current skills fall short, so you can begin to design a program to close the gaps.

Implement a training program

Reskilling the workforce will require putting a training program in place. Depending on the job, you may be able to find a third-party industry course that can fit your needs. You can find training online or through local schools. Many businesses use learning management systems that automate the training process, making it easy to deliver.

On-the-job training is another way to reskill employees. If any of your current employees have the correct skills, pair them with a colleague. The employee can act as a coach, helping their peers build new skills. The team member who’s learning the new skill can shadow their coach, observing at first, then doing the new skill themselves with oversight.

Another approach is to combine training programs with coaching. Set up the foundational knowledge by having employees attend formal classes, then provide a coach who can answer questions and help build confidence.

Whatever type of training you implement, be sure to measure the success of your reskilling program, so you know if an employee is ready to take on the new role and if the training is effective. Learning management systems, for example, often include quizzes that measure the employee’s comprehension and progress. You can also create a rubric for a coach to complete as they work with each of their fellow employees.

Choose the right candidates

Some employees may be more suited for reskilling than others. Select the right candidates by choosing employees who already go above and beyond their roles and are true team players. They’ll be more likely to embrace the challenges of learning a new role.

Once other team members see the benefits colleagues experience from learning new skills, they may be more open to the idea. However, not every employee may embrace the idea. If their job is at risk of being phased out, be sure to make that clear. But forcing an employee who doesn’t want to participate may backfire.

Reskilling benefits employees by providing greater job security, opportunities for professional development and a new career path. When you create a company culture that embraces learning and growing, you’ll be more likely to attract employees who will embrace reskilling. If you’re ready to implement a reskilling program in your business, talk to your business banker about the best strategy for investing in one of the available solutions.

Disclosures

This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied on or interpreted as accounting, financial planning, investment, legal or tax advice. First Citizens Bank (or its affiliates) neither endorses nor guarantees this information and encourages you to consult a professional for advice applicable to your specific situation.

Links to third-party websites may have a privacy policy different from First Citizens Bank and may provide less security than this website. First Citizens Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services and content on any third-party website.

Autoclave Maintenance: What to do Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Yearly

2023 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of Auxo Medical LLC

Autoclave preventive maintenance is an important part of any laboratory or medical facility. Autoclaves are used to safely sterilize medical and laboratory instruments, making them free from harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. They are a vital part of any laboratory or medical facility and regular preventive maintenance is essential to ensure they are functioning optimally.

Daily Autoclave Preventive Maintenance
Daily preventive maintenance is essential to keep your autoclave in top working order.

1. Start by inspecting the autoclave for any signs of damage or wear.
   • Make sure there are no loose or missing parts.
   • Check for cracks, corrosion, and dents.
   • Make sure all the buttons, knobs, and controls are in the correct positions and are functioning properly.
2. Next, check to make sure the autoclave is free from debris and dust, both inside and out.
   • Wipe down the exterior with a clean cloth or paper towel and use a vacuum to remove any debris from the interior.
3. Finally, check the autoclave’s safety features.
   • Make sure the safety valves and sensors are working properly and check the seals and gaskets for any signs of wear or damage.

Weekly Autoclave Preventive Maintenance
Weekly preventive maintenance is a bit more involved than daily maintenance, but it’s still important.

1. Start by checking and cleaning the door seals and gaskets using a soft cloth or brush and warm, soapy water.
   • Make sure the seals are free from any cracks or tears.
2. Next, inspect the interior of the autoclave for any signs of damage or wear.
   • Check for broken or missing parts and make sure all of the components are in working order.
3. You should also check the autoclave’s temperature and pressure gauges to make sure they are functioning properly.
   • Make sure the readings are accurate and the autoclave is producing the correct temperature and pressure for safe sterilization.
4. Completely drain the water from the reservoir and replace with new distilled water.

Monthly Autoclave Preventive Maintenance
Monthly preventive maintenance should involve a more thorough inspection of the autoclave.

1. Start by checking the autoclave’s safety features, including the safety valves and sensors.
   • Make sure they are functioning properly and are free from any cracks or damage.
2. Next, check all of the autoclave’s components to make sure they are in working order.
   • Make sure the heating elements and fans are functioning properly.
   • Check the seals and gaskets for any signs of wear or damage.
3. Inspect the interior and exterior of the autoclave for any signs of damage or wear.
   • Make sure all of the components are in working order and check for loose or missing parts.
4. Perform an additional biological live spore test to ensure proper sterilization is occurring.
5. Finally, clean the inside chamber and perform a flush of the lines.

Yearly Autoclave Preventive Maintenance
Yearly preventive maintenance is the most comprehensive maintenance and should include a full inspection of the autoclave.

• Start by performing your regular scheduled monthly maintenance procedure tasks.
• Next, check the temperature and pressure gauges to make sure they are functioning properly.
  • Make sure the readings are accurate and the autoclave is producing the correct temperature and pressure for safe sterilization.
• Inspect all of the components to make sure they are in working order.
  • Make sure the heating elements and fans are functioning properly.
  • Check the seals and gaskets for any signs of wear or damage.
• Finally, clean the door seals and gaskets using a soft cloth or brush and warm, soapy water.
  • Make sure the seals are free from any cracks or tears.

A Professional Touch
Additionally, having a professional autoclave repair and maintenance technician maintain your autoclave, at least yearly, will help to ensure proper maintenance and functionality of your autoclave to help maintain safe and sterile processing. In addition to the items above, the technician will perform more comprehensive testing and inspection as well as perform any necessary repairs or calibrations to the machine. Having a preventive maintenance and repair plan ensures your autoclave will continue to function properly and safely, while also minimizing downtime and risks associated with failing autoclaves.

Regular Maintenance for Optimal Results
Performing regular preventive maintenance on your autoclave is essential to ensure it is functioning optimally. Follow these tips to ensure your autoclave is performing at its best and providing the highest quality of sterilization.

The ABCs of Value-Based Care: What You Need to Know

2023 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of Aledade

Value-based care is the concept that health care clinicians should be paid for keeping people healthy rather than the volume of services delivered. The goal is to help patients maintain their highest possible level of wellness, rather than waiting until patients get sick to provide care, which is often more complex and expensive.

Read the complete article on Aledade’s blog

5 Types of Payment Fraud Business Owners Should Know

2022 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of First Citizens Bank

Payment fraud is a complex threat—one that can come from inside and outside your small business. To avoid the significant impact fraud can have on your business’s health and viability, vigilance is key. A single instance of fraud can result in the loss of thousands of dollars—not to mention a degree of trust in your company by employees and customers.

Staying vigilant starts with educating yourself on what threats to look out for. Here are five common forms of payment fraud that business owners should know about, as well as some tips to help you protect your business against them.

1. Business credit card fraud
If you issue business credit cards, you need to ensure every employee takes necessary precautions to appropriately protect and use them. The key is to set strict policies about what does and doesn’t qualify as an approved charge.

Review business credit card statements as soon as they arrive. If you notice a charge that looks suspicious, check with the employee to see if there was a mistake on their part. If you believe the card was compromised, contact your bank as soon as possible to dispute the charges and close the account. The longer the card remains valid, the greater your risk will be of accruing additional fraudulent charges.

2. Wire fraud
Another common type of fraud is illegal wire transfers. Criminals try to trick individuals into authorizing a wire transfer from a small-business bank account. They may pose as a customer or vendor to gather information that can help them gain access. Once they identify who can authorize a transfer, they’ll send an email that looks like a legitimate request for funds. Wired funds are settled immediately, which means it can be difficult to recover them after you detect fraud.

Protect your business by verifying any payment requests from a vendor or customer that look unusual. Call the number you have on file rather than using any contact information included with the request. Also, limit the number of employees who have authority to approve or send wire transfers from your account.

3. ACH fraud
Small businesses often use automated clearing house, or ACH, transfers. These can be a convenient way to pay bills and direct deposit an employee’s salary. Unfortunately, they also can open up opportunities for ACH fraud. Hackers may try to obtain your banking information, often through an email phishing scam, and then use it to initiate payments online or over the phone.

To combat this type of fraud, have a special account used for issuing ACH transactions. Get to know your vendors and watch for any activity that seems unusual. Also, set limits on ACH transfer amounts, and review your accounts daily to identify potential fraud immediately.

4. Forgery
Many of today’s transactions are digital, but forgery can still happen. With this type of fraud, someone obtains a company check, makes it out to themselves or an accomplice, and forges the authorized signature. Companies often spot this type of fraud when a check that wasn’t recorded in the accounting system is cashed.

Prevent forgery by keeping checks in a secure place and only accessible by authorized individuals. Also, match payees to bank statements to discover any suspicious activity.

5. Invoice fraud
Finally, invoice fraud is another common scheme that can happen to small business owners. Criminals send false invoices that, at first look, appear to be legitimate charges from vendors for products or services. The hope is that the invoice will be paid without being questioned.

Protect yourself against this type of fraud by cross-referencing invoices with purchase orders and contracts. You can also request that the vendor provide the name of the authorizing agent from your business. Also, be leery of anyone who asks for quick payment outside of your standard invoice terms.

Stay alert
Criminals often target successful small businesses because their owners are juggling several responsibilities and may overlook the charge. You work hard to earn your money and you should keep it. You can help protect your business from fraud by paying close attention to all financial transactions. Implementing strong fraud detection solutions can also go a long way toward helping you stay vigilant against these threats.

The Best Way to Prevent an OSHA Inspection

By Debra Gordick, Mediator/Government Liaison, Total Medical Compliance

2022 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of Total Medical Compliance

Most OSHA inspections in healthcare practices are brought about by employee complaints. You may think that disgruntled ex-employees are doing the reporting. That does happen frequently, but OSHA is aware of these kinds of retaliatory complaints and weighs that factor into their determination on whether to send you a letter or to show up for an inspection. However, OSHA will always give its attention to a current employee making the complaint. You may be surprised to learn that it is most often your best employee who makes the complaint that leads to an inspection.

Why would your good employees “stab you in the back” like that? Usually, it is because of one of these reasons:

• The employee raised concerns to you but feels ignored and frustrated.
• You have, perhaps unknowingly, created a closed-door atmosphere that discourages employees from raising concerns and offering recommendations.

What can you do to change this dynamic? Have a written policy on employee complaints and recommendations in your employee training manuals. Create an open-door culture in your practice. Let employees know this is important to you. Ensure that the policy aligns with any Human Resource policies you have with your company. Make sure you give everyone a copy including managers. Let them know it is important to you.

Most managers are uncomfortable with handling complaints, and this causes avoidance. Here are some recommendations gathered from consulting human resources professionals including a very good article at https://toughnickel.com/business/How-to-Address-Employee-Complaints.

1. Ask for something in writing.
2. Listen fully to the complaint, even if it seems like a frivolous issue.
3. Show respect. Don’t belittle their complaint, question their veracity, or do anything to make them feel like you don’t take the issue seriously.
4. Ask lots of questions.
   • Who – Who is this situation about? Who was involved? Who witnessed it?
   • What – What happened? What else was happening at the time of the incident? What caused the incident? What proof can be provided?
   • When – When did the incident take place? When else could this have happened?
   • Where – Where did this incident take place? Where else could this have happened? Where exactly were employees at the time of the incident?
   • Why – Why did it happen? Why did the employee come forward with this complaint? Why do they think the incident happened?
   • How – How are they feeling after this incident? How has this incident affected others? How can you help them? How can this problem be rectified?
5. Assure the individual that you will investigate and then take appropriate action as quickly as possible.
6. Take the appropriate action regarding the complaint. The action should as quick as possible so there won’t be any future issues. Consult a professional if you need advice like your human resources contact or your OSHA consultant depending on the issue.
7. Set a timeframe for communicating and notify all involved parties of any delays.
8. Refrain from quick disciplinary action against the complaining employee or any person they’re complaining about. Take the time to find out what happened before you take any action.
9. Inform the complainant about resolution status but avoid details about other employees.
10. If the complaint was unfounded, turn the situation into a training opportunity.
11. Look for patterns of the same complaint from the same person or other employees. You may see another issue that needs to be addressed.
12. Document. Document. Document.

What NOT to Do When an Employee Complains:

• Make jokes.
• Allow distractions. Instead, turn off your phone and close your office door.
• Make the complaint public.
• Punish the complainant in ANY way. There are very stringent laws on protecting whistleblowers.

The very best thing you can do to prevent an OSHA inspection is to show your employees respect and listen to their concerns.

Visit https://totalmedicalcompliance.com/ for more information and a free quote.

Debra Gordick is the mediator/government liaison for Total Medical Compliance. TMC is a private consulting company providing affordable programs and seminars for health care providers, allowing them to achieve and maintain compliance with government regulations such as HIPAA, OSHA and infection control. TMC services include on-site employee training, customized compliance manuals, office inspections, and ongoing client support through monthly newsletters and a fully staffed Client Service Center. For additional information call 888-862-6742 or email service@totalmedicalcompliance.com.

No Cost Workshops to Help You be Financially and Professionally Savvy

Summit Credit Union is Here to Help You

2022 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of Summit Credit Union

It is never too late to change your financial health and overall wellbeing. As a partnership benefit of Summit Credit Union, we offer no-cost virtual and in-person workshops to our members and non-members. Below are some of our workshops to help you be financially and professionally savvy.

• Fraud and Identity Theft: We may all be targets, but we do not have to be victims. Find out what schemes crooks are currently using to try and steal your money. Learn how to protect yourself from fraud attempts.
• Understanding Your Credit Score: Discover how credit scores are determined, how to raise your credit score, and how to avoid common mistakes that lower your score. It’s not always common sense.
• Diversity and Inclusion in the Workspace: What is diversity and inclusion? Learn how to encourage inclusive actions and behaviors in the workplace. Explore why it makes good business sense to incorporate a diversity and inclusion strategic plan of action, and how it can impact growth and revenue for your company.

Our workshops typically run 45-60 minutes, but can be divided into two parts for shorter sessions. Most can be presented in a Lunch ‘n Learn format, either in-person or online. Visit SummitCU.org or contact your Regional Partnership Manager at Partners@SummitCU.org for more information or to schedule an on-site or virtual workshop for your team.

About Summit Credit Union

Summit Credit Union was established in 1935 and is a full-service not-for-profit financial cooperative, providing services to employees at over 300 companies throughout North Carolina. It has about 37,000 members and approximately $338 million in assets. Summit Credit Union offers a full portfolio of personal financial products, including checking accounts, debit cards, credit cards, online banking, direct deposit, mobile app, ATMs, and more.

For more information, visit SummitCU.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The OCR’s Notorious Wall of Shame

Originally published by HealthMark Group on January 13, 2022
2022 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of HealthMark Group

Avoiding HIPAA Breaches and the “Wall of Shame”

Ever-evolving developments in healthcare technology, aimed at increasing efficiency and access, are growing at an exponential rate. That may offer more effective processes and support better care coordination, but it also leaves many practitioners finding it exceedingly difficult to remain compliant amid all of the security measures guided by the Health Insurance and Patient Accountability Act (“HIPAA”). Whether dealing with staffing shortages, clinic expansion, or a lack of training, avoiding breaches of personal health information (“PHI”) is both a top priority and an ongoing challenge.

When breaches do occur, HIPAA requires they be reported to the U.S. Department of Health & Services Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”). Violations affecting 500 individuals or more must be reported within 30 days of discovery to impacted individuals and within 60 days to the OCR and local media. OCR also publishes information identifying these breaches on what has become known as the OCR “Wall of Shame”. Established under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule and HITECH Act, the Wall of Shame lists the names and other details of organizations under investigation due to a violation that has occurred within the last 24 months. To state the obvious, you do not want to be placed on this list.

Recent Statistics

• In 2021, 607 violations affecting nearly 45 million individuals were submitted to the OCR and are now visible on the Wall of Shame (a 20% increase in breaches compared to 2019, only two years prior) ¹
• Breaches have increased 84% in the last five years, with 329 reported in 2016²
• The average cost per record breached hit $499 in 2020 on an upward trend, totaling $13.2 billion for the year³
• Unauthorized access/disclosure accounts for 34% of violations every year, up 162% over the past three years⁴
• Hospitals typically account for 30% of all large data breaches⁴

Potential Financial Consequences

Most often, the OCR resolves cases through voluntary compliance or by accepting a covered entity’s plan to address the breach and adjust policies and procedures to avoid future violations. For severe cases, the Enforcement Final Rule of 2006 allows the OCR to issue financial penalties to covered entities that fail to comply with HIPAA Rules. There are currently four main tiers of such violations⁵:

• Tier 1, $100 – $50,000 per breach: A violation that the covered entity was unaware of and could not have reasonably avoided.
• Tier 2, $1,000 – $50,000 per breach: A violation that the covered entity should have been aware of but could not have avoided.
• Tier 3, $10,000 – $50,000 per breach: This violation is considered to be the result of willful neglect in instances where corrective measures were taken within a reasonable timeframe.
• Tier 4, $50,000 per breach: This violation is considered to be the result of willful neglect in instances where no corrective measures were taken to resolve the breach.

While less common, criminal penalties do exist in addition to fines for various violations, including malicious intent (i.e., selling data for harm or commercial gain).

How HealthMark Can Help

With management of PHI at the core of HealthMark’s business, it remains the highest priority to keep data secure and compliant. Our team responsible for the handling of medical records is required to undergo Certified Release of Information Specialist (“CRIS”) training and certification to demonstrate understanding of patient privacy rights and HIPAA requirements. Guidelines around HIPAA, the Privacy Rule, Information Blocking, etc. are constantly evolving, making regulatory education one more thing for practices to manage. Our goal as a partner is not only to offer services that ease administrative loads, but to also do the work for clients by combing through often convoluted details and staying abreast of the most important changes that are occurring. By doing so, we can share with clients what they need to know and when, which allows our clients to focus more of their limited resources on their primary goal of patient care.

1. https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf
2. https://www.hipaajournal.com/largest-healthcare-data-breaches-of-2016-8631/
3. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cybersecurity/healthcare-data-breaches-up-55-1-in-2020-report-finds.html
4. https://techjury.net/blog/healthcare-data-breaches-statistics/#gref
5. https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-are-the-penalties-for-hipaa-violations-7096/

Interest Rate Surge Creates Unexpected Positive Swap Unwinds

Originally published on March 24, 2022, by CMAC Partners

2022 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of CMAC Partners

With the recent increase in long-term interest rates, many of our clients who entered into interest rate swaps in the last two or three years are finding that these swaps now have a substantial positive value. There is an opportunity to take advantage of these values to positively affect the real estate entity or the practice.

Some uses of the positive swap unwind available for consideration include:

1. Terminating the interest rate swap to provide cash out to the partners, which can be used in at least three ways:

• For further re-investment by the partners (a method of leveraging their equity)
• For asset protection (in those cases where there are no personal guarantees, this reduces the equity at risk).
• For reapplication in further real estate projects where there is needed equity

2. To improve cash flow:

• The positive value can be folded into a new swap and re-amortized. Oftentimes, this will result in a reduced cash flow, which advantages the senior doctors who may be retiring before the termination date of the loan.

3. Lower the rate on new financing:

• The positive value of the swap could be applied to the fixed rate of a new loan to lower the rate.

4. Pay down principal:

• The positive value of the swap could be applied against the loan balance and either float or replace the swap at current market rates. This reduces overall interest expense and can be very helpful if the borrower is looking to reduce its debt to get under a certain Loan-To-Value threshold.

It is important to remember that whatever you choose to do on a swap does not change the overall expense of the swap. It only changes the timing of that overall expense, which may be very advantageous.

Because these movements are dependent upon valuations that cannot be seen by the typical borrower, it is important to work with a swap advisor who can ensure that no added profits are taken by the bank during any of these transactions.

If you are unsure about the value of your swap unwind, CMAC will review your documents and advise your group on the next best steps. Email solutions@cmacpartners.com or call 407-264-7255.

Direct Contracting Model Strategies that Drive Innovative Healthcare

2021 Alliance sponsor feature article courtesy of Pearl Health

It’s no secret that the U.S. healthcare system could benefit from a healthy dose of creativity and innovation. Over the past several decades, healthcare costs have been rising at an unsustainable rate, while patient outcomes have been less than ideal. Efforts to create a more value-based healthcare system, which have featured an especially concerted effort over the last decade, have thus far not succeeded. In recognition of this reality, the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently introduced its Direct Contracting model. Specifically designed to encourage innovative healthcare ideas, Direct Contracting will hopefully lead us toward a more value-based healthcare system.

Many healthcare organizations and providers believe the Direct Contracting model has tremendous potential. While the model is currently being used only for Medicare beneficiaries, many hope that its central themes–provider capitation, quality measures with minimal administrative overhead for practices, and global risk sharing–may soon be adopted by private payers and providers furnishing care in the commercial sector. Such proliferation will depend on the model’s initial success in managing costs of the Medicare population and how well providers adapt. If the model works as planned, it will incentivize innovative healthcare strategies, leading to better outcomes and lower costs. With this in mind, it’s essential that healthcare professionals understand ways to innovate in this environment.

Innovative Healthcare Strategy #1 – Enhance Workflow Efficiencies

It is well known that many healthcare systems lack efficient operational workflows. This is especially true in coordinating care among different care settings in and out of various facilities. Therefore, innovative healthcare ideas are needed to streamline many of these more complex care activities. The Direct Contracting model accomplishes this by linking rewards to value-based outcomes. As a result, all stakeholders are motivated to develop more efficient and coordinated processes of care. Healthcare organizations can leverage the Direct Contracting model’s investment capital construct (i.e. the ‘enhanced cap’) to pursue better workflow efficiencies. Likewise, they can encourage the use of standardized workflows that are patient-centric in an effort to reduce care variations. Similar to Lean Six Sigma approaches, these efforts reduce waste while improving the capacity for predictable and reproducible results. This is an area of innovation needed for many healthcare systems today.

Innovative Healthcare Strategy #2 – Advance Digital Integrations

Advancing and streamlining digital integrations across the healthcare system may lead to more efficient healthcare delivery. Interoperability, the ability of different digital healthcare platforms to communicate, has been a barrier for efficient and effective healthcare. Healthcare systems can use the Direct Contracting model to encourage improved connectivity and interoperability by incentivizing such investment through outcomes alignment. This inherently reduces waste by limiting duplication services and increases access to information for better decision-making. Such connectivity can also improve the insight of analytics efforts, providing healthcare systems with better data to drive future changes. By investing in these types of activities, organizations can better thrive under the Direct Contracting model and reap the rewards.

Innovative Healthcare Strategy #3 – Effective Provider Incentives

Under CMS’s Direct Contracting model, Direct Contracting Entities (DCEs) have the ability to structure bespoke risk contracts with the providers that they engage. A DCE may choose different risk tracks, taking on 50% or 100% of the risk and shared savings benefits. While past ACO programs allowed for similar risk-sharing, DCEs are afforded greater freedom to create more targeted risk-based and capitated contracts with providers that incentivize them to develop innovative healthcare solutions. This is one of the major advantages of the Direct Contracting model that did not exist with prior CMS approaches to value-based healthcare.

Innovative Healthcare Strategy #4 – Engage and Involve Patients

The Direct Contracting model places the burden to develop innovative healthcare solutions on DCEs and member providers. Yet the involvement of patients is critical to the success of efforts to achieve performance improvement in value-based care. By empowering and incentivizing patients to engage in this manner, DCEs can make better, more informed choices about which strategies they will invest in and patients can contribute to self-care and self-monitoring. DCEs and providers should therefore invest resources in educating and training patients in these areas. In doing so, they are better able to utilize patient resources that reduce costs and lead to better results. These types of activities also broaden care coordination across additional care settings that include the patient’s home environments.

Embracing a Culture of Innovation in Healthcare

Each of the above strategies can help organizations and providers realize more innovative healthcare practices. The Direct Contracting model simply serves as a framework by which these efforts can be used. Over time, however, DCEs and providers alike can embrace a culture of value-based innovation to achieve healthcare goals.

1. Adams, K. (2021). 6 big ideas in healthcare innovation. Becker Hospital Review. Retrieved from https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/digital-transformation/6-big-ideas-in-healthcare-innovation-4.html

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

Connect to NC Practice Managers with NCMGMA Alliance Sponsorship

2021 Alliance Registration is Open

Alliance delivers high-impact marketing and quality face-time
with healthcare management decision-makers.

Yes, we said facetime! In 2021, NCMGMA plans to deliver two in-person conferences (May and October). While we are monitoring the pandemic, we recognize the importance of connecting our membership in-person and making plans, as best as we can, to be together!

2021 Alliance Prospectus

2021 Big Events

Annual Conference
May 19-21, 2021
Marriott Resort at Grand Dunes
Myrtle Beach, SC

This event packs in three days of healthcare management CE for our attendees which means plenty of networking opportunities and facetime with practice administrators for our exhibitors!

Fall Conference
October 6-8, 2021
Renaissance Hotel
Asheville, NC

This essential industry event is sure to bring out a strong attendance: it’s been a while since we’ve been in Asheville in fall so excitement will build! For 2020, we’ll be at a new location for us: the Renaissance Asheville Hotel.

NCMGMA Membership

Our membership includes executives and managers of private group practices, academic medical centers, integrated delivery systems, and companies that support medical provider organizations. NCMGMA ends 2020 with 402 Active members (practice administrators), 129 Affiliates (product and service providers), 51 Student members and 22 Lifetime members.

Alliance Program Structure

How Alliance Works

The Alliance sponsorship program provides a selection of core benefits that gain you access and exposure to the Active members of NCMGMA: the practice managers and administrators of North Carolina’s healthcare industry. PLUS: you select the level-specific benefits package that best fits your marketing goals and objectives.

Alliance Core Benefits

All levels of the 2021 Alliance sponsorship program include: an affiliate membership in the NCMGMA; Annual Conference exhibit booth; recognition and link on the website and e-news site, NCMGMA News; article submission for NCMGMA News; and access to healthcare practice decision-makers in North Carolina.

Level Specific Benefits

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Register for Alliance Today!

Registration is open so sign up to be an Alliance sponsor today. Sponsorship benefits go into effect on January 1, 2021. To register, click on the button below and follow the instructions.

2021 Alliance Online Registration

Questions

If you have any questions about the Alliance sponsorship program, please contact the NCMGMA offices at info@ncmgm.org.