Denials Prevention and Recovery Solutions at Harmony Healthcare: Becky Jacobsen
Harmony Healthcare provides healthcare organizations with the talent and resources needed to succeed today as well as the foresight to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges. In this employee spotlight, we’re excited to highlight Becky Jacobsen, Principal Consultant, Denials Prevention and Recovery Solutions. We spoke with Becky to share her advice for clients and denials prevention and recovery professionals as well as insights from her career journey. 1. Tell us about your journey in healthcare? I began my career in healthcare while pursuing my nursing degree, working in both Ophthalmology and Optometry to help fund my education. After earning my degree, I…
Future-Proofing Case Management: Hire for AI, Predictive Analytics, and Clinical Data Science
Healthcare leaders who want case management to remain effective as patient complexity and payment pressure rise must stop thinking of analytics as “nice to have.” Predictive models and AI are moving from pilots to production in leading systems, and the organizations that hire strategically — not reactively — will see the biggest operational and clinical wins. Let’s take a look at who’s proving it works, what roles you need, and how to organize for success. Why Hire for AI and Predictive Analytics in Case Management Now Predictive analytics lets case management teams find which patients will most likely benefit from…
Integrating Contractors into Your Company Culture: Best Practices for Healthcare Leaders
Contractors play an increasingly vital role in today’s dynamic healthcare environment, filling staffing gaps, supporting specialized projects, and maintaining operational continuity. Whether it’s medical coders or IT professionals, contract workers are essential to delivering quality care. However, integrating them into your organizational culture can be challenging—especially when they’re only on-site for a limited time. Healthcare leaders must go beyond transactional relationships with contractors and instead foster a sense of belonging, collaboration, and shared purpose. When contractors feel connected to the mission and values of your organization, they perform better, communicate more effectively, and contribute meaningfully to patient outcomes. Here’s how…
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Outpatient CDI
Technology is transforming outpatient Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI) by integrating real-time support, AI-driven accuracy, and data analytics to streamline workflows and elevate care quality. Outpatient CDI has traditionally fallen behind inpatient efforts due to fragmented workflows, limited resources, and the sheer volume of patient encounters. But with the rise of advanced technologies—particularly Electronic Health Records (EHRs), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics—outpatient CDI is evolving into a proactive, intelligent, and scalable process. These tools not only reduce administrative burden but also enhance documentation accuracy, compliance, and reimbursement. EHR Integration: The Foundation of Modern CDI Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are the…
Choosing the Right Medical Coding Certification: A Guide for Aspiring Coders
Medical coding is a critical function in the healthcare industry, translating patient diagnoses, procedures, and services into standardized codes used for billing, insurance, and data analysis. As demand for skilled coders continues to grow, earning a medical coding certification is one of the best ways to launch or advance your career. But with multiple certification options available—such as CPC, CCS, and CCA—how do you know which one is right for you? This guide breaks down the major certifications, their prerequisites, study resources, and the career paths they unlock. Why Certification Matters Medical coding certifications validate your knowledge of coding systems…
Coding Solutions at Harmony Healthcare: Jennifer Latva
Harmony Healthcare provides healthcare organizations with the talent and resources needed to succeed today as well as the foresight to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges. In this employee spotlight, we’re excited to highlight Jennifer Latva, QA Lead, Coding Solutions. We spoke with Jennifer to share her advice for clients and coding professionals as well as insights from her career journey. 1. Can you tell us about your journey in healthcare? I began working in healthcare in the 1990s in a private pediatric clinic. I worked in several private practices before transitioning to a hospital system in 2010. These experiences gave me…
New 2026 Fiscal Year ICD-10-CM/PCS Updates
If you missed the Harmony Healthcare sponsored webinar on the 2026 fiscal year (FY2026) ICD-10-CM/PCS updates, here we’ll summarize the key points There are a number of changes that are in the chapter-specific guidelines that address coding for HIV. A brand-new guideline was unveiled about coding for type 2 diabetes that is in remission with a new code E11.A . Coding for multiple sites was clarified with two new guidelines. The prophylactic surgery guideline for malignancy was expanded to include Z40.8 for other prophylactic surgery. Coding professionals should review the entirety of the 2026 guideline changes to be sure that…
Top Population Health & Patient Engagement Trends in 2026: A Guide for Non-Clinical Healthcare Professionals
In 2026, healthcare is no longer just about treating illness—it's about creating systems that promote wellness, equity, and engagement across entire populations. For non-clinical healthcare professionals, this shift presents exciting opportunities to lead innovation, improve outcomes, and elevate the patient experience. Whether you're in administration, health IT, or patient services, these are the trends you need to know. Population Health Trends That Shape Strategy 1. AI-Powered Public Health Planning Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how health systems manage population-level risks. For non-clinical teams, this means smarter planning, better resource allocation, and more targeted outreach. What it means for you: Use…
Coding Solutions at Harmony Healthcare: Brandi Russell
Harmony Healthcare provides healthcare organizations with the talent and resources needed to succeed today as well as the foresight to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges. In this employee spotlight, we’re excited to highlight Brandi Russell, Principal Consultant, Coding Solutions. We spoke with Brandi to share her advice for clients and coding professionals as well as insights from her career journey. 1. Tell us about your journey in healthcare? In 2003, after graduating from a coding program, I started as an intern at a local hospital. I was a file clerk, receptionist, ROI clerk, and an outpatient coder. I quickly moved into…
