In this episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with Dena Langan, VP of Revenue Cycle at Frontier Dermatology, to talk about the real-world challenges of automating healthcare RevCycle processes. From coding complexities and payer contracts to prior authorizations, denials, and reporting, Dena shares why some automation promises fall short—and where AI has real potential to make a difference.00:00 – Welcome to Vital Conversations with Tim Coan & Dena Langan01:00 – Dena’s background & Frontier Dermatology’s scale02:35 – AI’s growing role in healthcare RevCycle03:50 – The goal of automation: freeing humans from tedious tasks04:40 – Why coding accuracy still needs human oversight05:50 – The impact of AMA’s 2020 coding rule changes07:10 – Could ambient listening scribes be the answer?09:00 – Optimism for AI-driven coding improvements09:35 – The challenge of automating contract loading11:25 – Why eligibility & prior auth automation is still tricky12:48 – The complexities of automating denials & appeals14:14 – Reporting and analytics: manual bottlenecks15:18 – Dena’s 12-month automation wish list16:10 – Closing thoughts on the future of RevCycle automation

AI is changing the healthcare industry, but not always in the ways we expect. In this episode of Vital Conversations, guest Jeff Freedman, Director of Private Equity Engagement at ModMed, brings his 30+ years of operational experience to the table to talk through how healthcare organizations can make smarter, more productive use of AI.

In this episode, host Tim Coan sits down with Pete Martinez, a Vice President of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) at National Partners in Healthcare, to unpack what happens when private equity (PE) meets healthcare operations.They explore:How private equity deals disrupt RCM processesWhy RevCycle gets misunderstood as just “finance”Common mistakes made post-acquisitionHow front desk attrition leads to massive revenue leaksThe importance of aligning operations and RCMKey KPIs CFOs and RCM leaders must trackWhy SOPs often fail in scaling physician practicesPete’s new training platform: AskCWS.com – built to strengthen RevCycle teams everywhereWhether you're a CFO new to healthcare, a RevCycle leader navigating PE ownership, or someone trying to stop revenue leaks, this conversation is packed with insights, strategy, and tools you can act on today.

The CEO of Allied Physicians Group, Dr. Kerry Fierstein, joins Vital Conversations host Tim Coan for a talk about the current state of pediatric care. They discuss the challenges faced by pediatricians, particularly around immunizations and the trust issues that have arisen post-COVID. Dr. Fierstein shares insights on recruitment and retention in pediatrics, the financial aspects of running a practice, and the dual roles she plays as both a practicing pediatrician and a CEO. The conversation also highlights the community impact of the Allied Foundation, which addresses critical needs such as diaper distribution and literacy programs for children.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan sits down with longtime friend and public health leader Jim Haveman for an extraordinary discussion that bridges domestic policy and international diplomacy. Jim recounts his unconventional journey from social work to leading Michigan’s $18 billion health department, and eventually serving as the acting Minister of Health in post-war Iraq. His stories go far beyond typical healthcare leadership—he shares how he rebuilt systems, empowered local leaders, and practiced humility while navigating both partisan U.S. politics and the volatile streets of Baghdad. Listeners will gain rare insights into how to unite people with opposing agendas—whether negotiating Medicaid expansion in a divided legislature or rebuilding a healthcare system with no infrastructure. Jim’s leadership lessons are laced with wit, real-world strategy, and a human-centered approach that feels especially relevant today. Tune in to hear how listening, compromise, and walking the streets—not just sitting in boardrooms—can drive lasting impact.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with Bill Duke, CFO of Connecticut Skin Health, to discuss the operational challenges of managing a multi-location dermatology practice. With 10 offices, over 100 employees, and more than 30 providers, Bill shares the complexities of staffing, onboarding, and maintaining consistent patient care across rural and urban locations. He emphasizes the critical role of thorough onboarding and the need for constant communication and coordination among staff to keep operations smooth. The conversation highlights the delicate balance between centralized systems and maintaining a local, familiar feel for patients, while tackling staffing shortages, retention struggles, and increasing demands for operational efficiency. The discussion also dives into the role of technology and data in synchronizing patient demand, provider capacity, and staffing - revealing that while tools and automation (especially around eligibility verification) have helped, human oversight remains essential. Bill reflects on the financial implications of operational optimization, explaining that consolidating information and streamlining processes across locations significantly improves a practice’s financial health. The episode wraps up with insights on the importance of treating multi-location management as an interconnected system rather than isolated units, showcasing how even small improvements in efficiency can lead to major gains.

In this conversation, Tim Coan interviews Dr. Daniel Urcuyo about functional medicine, exploring its principles, the shift from traditional medicine, and the challenges faced in the healthcare system. They discuss the importance of nutrition and lifestyle changes, the role of technology, and the impact of political influences on the field. Dr. Urcuyo emphasizes the need for a systemic approach to health and the challenges of the current business model in functional medicine.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan dives into the future of AI in healthcare with Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, Dean of the Arizona College of Podiatric Medicine. Together, they explore how AI is transforming the doctor-patient relationship, streamlining medical documentation, and reshaping clinical research and education. Dr. Jensen highlights AI’s potential to reduce burnout, improve diagnostic accuracy, and enhance medical training while addressing its challenges, such as ensuring evidence-based use. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of technology in patient empowerment and its implications for healthcare professionals. Tune in for a forward-thinking discussion on the intersection of medicine and AI.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan speaks with Natasha Schlinkert, CEO of Innobot, about revolutionizing healthcare revenue cycle management through automation. Natasha shares her journey from decades in the industry to founding Innobot Health, addressing the challenges of robotic process automation (RPA) in healthcare. She explains how combining domain expertise with advanced technology can transform operations, reduce inefficiencies, and improve outcomes. The conversation delves into the nuances of RPA, its potential to optimize repetitive processes like claim status checks, and its limitations with tasks requiring human intuition. Natasha highlights Innobot’s unique approach to bridging the gap between operational workflows and automation, offering practical insights for organizations looking to enhance efficiency while maintaining human oversight.

In this insightful episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan sits down with Erica Jain, CEO of Healthie, a groundbreaking ONC-certified EHR platform designed for virtual-first, longitudinal, and collaborative healthcare. Erica shares the personal inspiration behind Healthie, stemming from her parents' transformative health journey, and discusses why traditional EHRs fail to meet the needs of modern healthcare providers. She dives into how Healthie empowers providers in behavioral health, nutrition, coaching, and women's health by offering intuitive tools for hybrid care, seamless patient-provider integration, and efficient documentation—solving the pain points of outdated systems. If you’re curious about how technology is reshaping healthcare beyond legacy platforms, this is a must-listen episode! Listen now to discover how Healthie is redefining digital healthcare!

In this episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan from Focus Solutions sits down with Dr. Chris Chumley of Meridian Health to discuss the evolving landscape of home-based medicine for at-risk seniors. Meridian Health focuses on providing primary care to seniors in their residences, whether in assisted living facilities or private homes, helping to manage complex chronic conditions. Dr. Chumley highlights the advantages of this model, such as improved patient compliance, longer face-to-face visits, and a more personalized approach that includes evaluating living conditions and even diet through what he calls a "fridge biopsy." The discussion underscores how home-based care reduces hospitalizations and ER visits, ultimately improving patient outcomes while lowering costs. The conversation also delves into the technological and data challenges of this care model. Dr. Chumley explains how advancements like cloud-based EMRs, 5G connectivity, and interoperability tools help overcome hurdles in accessing and sharing patient data across multiple healthcare systems. However, he notes that the industry still has a long way to go in optimizing data utilization for improving patient care and scaling home-based medicine. The episode concludes with an optimistic outlook on the future of value-based care and innovations like hospital-at-home programs, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to refine healthcare delivery for the most vulnerable populations.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, Tim Coan is joined by Kelly Poole, a seasoned healthcare leader and innovator with a remarkable blend of clinical and operational expertise. The discussion dives into Kelly’s unique journey from bedside nursing to becoming a vice president of operational excellence and transformation, as well as the founder of her consultancy, The Improvement Space. Kelly shares insights from her two decades in healthcare, focusing on the intersection of clinical care, technology, and process optimization. Viewers will appreciate her dynamic approach to solving complex challenges in healthcare organizations. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives as Kelly recounts her experiences leading technology and process improvement initiatives, including the critical role of aligning technology with real-life workflows. The episode explores key themes like optimization and standardization, addressing common pitfalls such as over-reliance on technology without a foundational process and the challenges of implementing best practices across diverse teams. With practical anecdotes, Kelly demonstrates how understanding the "why" behind processes and tailoring solutions to specific needs can drive meaningful outcomes for patients and providers alike. Whether you're a healthcare professional, an organizational leader, or someone intrigued by transformative solutions, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking dialogue. Tim and Kelly’s rapport, rooted in years of professional camaraderie, makes for an engaging and relatable conversation. Don’t miss the chance to hear Kelly’s expert guidance on navigating the complexities of healthcare operations while fostering innovation and excellence.

In this episode of Vital Conversations, host Tim Coan interviews Hawk Sindel, CEO of Urology Associates of Mobile and managing partner of Southeast Urology Management.   They discuss the Urology Alliance, a collaborative network aimed at improving urology practices without mergers or loss of autonomy. The conversation explores how the Alliance uses shared data analytics to enhance patient care, reduce costs, and tackle key initiatives, like advanced prostate cancer care.   They dive into the challenges of normalizing data across platforms, improving patient appointment adherence, and the role of pharma partnerships in closing care gaps.