Summit to focus on reducing inefficient payment systems in healthcare

Despite having technology at its disposal, the healthcare industry continues to experience inefficiency in a payment system that still relies on extensive paper-based transactions. That could change for many officials in the health field who attend the Healthcare Payment Innovations Summit planned on January 28 and 29, 2013, in Phoenix, Arizona. Event sponsor Strategic Solutions Network calls the summit "a showcase of innovative payment solutions" aimed at lowering the administrative costs of healthcare organizations by as much as $50 billion each year. Whether it's a point-of-sale transaction at a walk-in health clinic or the array of payments to doctors and hospitals from insurers and ACH cards used by patients, the January forum will offer case studies based on the experiences of healthcare groups nationwide. The event will feature speakers from leading insurance companies and health organizations. Some of the topics that will be covered during two days of interactive workshops and panel discussions include the effect of national health reform on payment systems, converting paper-based transactions to electronic formats and streamlining postings. Other meetings will cover best practices to improve patient payments, complying with HIPAA privacy requirements, introducing new automation and partnering with banks to process healthcare payments.