Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Tom Buckley, VP of Revenue Cycle and Managed Care at Virtua Health
Nov 29, 2025
Tom Buckley, Senior VP of Revenue Cycle and Managed Care at Virtua Health, dives into the pressing challenges in healthcare finance. He discusses payer denials and the complexities of patient billing, emphasizing the rising burden on patients. Buckley shares innovative solutions, like ClearBalance and AI tools, to enhance payment processes. He also highlights the importance of clear communication and team engagement, noting how strong leadership helps align goals in a fast-evolving environment. Buckley's insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the future of healthcare revenue operations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Payers Escalate Denial Tactics
- Payer denials are increasingly complex and target DRG and E&M coding to reduce payments.
- Tom Buckley calls these persistent payer tactics “payer shenanigans” that require lengthy appeals and coordination.
Contractually Limit Vendor Appeals
- Limit allowable appeals in contracts to control vendor overreach on denials.
- Monitor vendors closely to prevent them from exceeding contracted appeal volumes.
Make Patient Payments Easy
- Make it easy for patients to find and pay their out-of-pocket balances using online tools and payment partners.
- Offer financial assistance and modern payment options to improve collections.