Becker’s Healthcare Podcast How University Health Is Tackling Payer Pressure and Driving Mission-Driven Revenue Cycle Innovation with Kevin Barron
Jun 16, 2025
Kevin Barron, Deputy VP of Payer Relations at University Health in San Antonio, shares insights on tackling aggressive payer tactics in healthcare. He discusses the integration of AI to enhance revenue cycle management, enabling better patient care and financial performance. With a focus on collaboration, Barron highlights innovative strategies for handling high dollar claims and the importance of aligning contract management with mission-driven goals. The conversation also explores the balance between sustainability and community needs in evolving healthcare demographics.
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Embed Contracting Within RevCycle
- Embedding payer contracting within the revenue cycle boosts collaboration and efficiency.
- Using AI to manage contracts improves oversight and responsiveness to payer demands.
Audit High-Dollar Claims Proactively
- Create a contract performance audit function to catch payment issues and denials early.
- Participate actively in AR meetings to quickly address payer disputes and recover high-dollar claims.
Streamline Contract Implementation
- Implement a contract implementation process to streamline new contract rollout.
- Educate revenue cycle teams on contract details and engage payers directly through regular in-services.