The work of mid-revenue professionals always comes down to values and character

By Brian Murphy

A reminder that in the end it really is all about values and character. And taking responsibility for your actions.

This is admittedly an easy concept to grasp, easy to write on a low-key Wednesday morning. But can be extraordinarily difficult to implement in practice, when the heat is on and pressure turned up high.

  • Code that unsupported MCC? That’s on you, coder—even though you might be feeling heavy pressure from your hospital or department director to get the claim out the door and support that long length of stay.
  • Deny that claim when you know it’s legitimate? That’s on you, auditor. I know your agency has a fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders, but “just following orders” does not absolve you of doing the right thing.
  • Ignore the warnings brought up to you by your VP of compliance? That’s on you, hospital CEO. I know you’re trying to keep your budget in the black, but there are better ways to do it.

These are incredible pressures. I understand how people wilt under them. But if they grow too fierce, at minimum we can choose to leave an organization.

My writing this does not mean I hold some moral high ground. I work in marketing and am aware of empty promises and false advertising. I fight my own battles with doing the right thing.

But it’s something I think about often and you should too.

Finally I add that values and ethics are not just something I find important. I point you to a column written by the President and CEO of Norwell Health, Six priorities for health leaders in a new era of change and disruption. In an era of change and disruption, Michael Dowling states, “Values matter. Now more than ever, we as healthcare leaders need to promote the values of decency, respect, integrity, honesty and trust.”

And with that heaviness off my chest I think I need to start posting some funny memes.

Reference

Becker’s, “Michael Dowling: 6 priorities for health leaders in a new era of change and disruption”: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/michael-dowling-6-priorities-for-health-leaders-in-a-new-era-of-change-and-disruption.html

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