Jeff Pearson MBA, MBL, CHCIO

One of our customers uploaded 1,300 network contracts. They run a national practice network and didn’t have clear visibility into what was actually inside them. Within minutes they found a fourth BCBS Texas contract. They thought they had three. The fourth one paid better. He called me and said, “How did we not know this existed? We’ve been billing under the wrong one this whole time.” Then he said something that really stuck with me: “I’m making decisions every day without knowing what we actually have.” He got emotional. Not because anyone had made a mistake, but because these contracts drive millions in revenue and they were operating without clarity. Most contracting teams are doing their best, living out of SharePoint folders and relying on institutional memory. Contracts are dense, there are hundreds of them, and everyone is busy. But there’s still a gap between what’s written in these agreements and what organizations actually understand about them. The information was always there. It just didn’t have a system. We’re building that system, starting with turning piles of network contracts into something you can actually use to make decisions, and pairing it with Transparency in Coverage data so you can see not just what you negotiated, but how it compares to the market. More on that soon.

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Rising denial rates are one of the most persistent and costly challenges in today’s revenue cycle. But with the right approach, meaningful change is possible. By combining analytics, automation, and expert advisory support, healthcare organizations can rapidly identify and root out the causes of denials. This case study exemplifies what's achievable.     Imagine you could eliminate $1 million in denials this year. How would this impact your financial position? And what types of reinvestments would this allow? At AGS Health, we’re proud to partner with organizations to redefine what's possible in denial management and revenue cycle performance. 

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As if getting in the door wasn't hard enough, getting to "YES" may be the hardest part! Installment 5 wraps up my blog series with Survey #5 results on the biggest barriers to IDN access. It's no surprise that Supply chain access, value analysis, and entrenched competition are top concerns—but this final blog reveals some surprises too.... #HealthcareSales #IDN #GPO #AccessStrategy #ValueAnalysis #MedicalSales #ExcelerantConsulting

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⚖️ Oklahoma Spine Hospital Data Breach Settlement: Key Takeaways for Healthcare Leaders According to HIPAA Journal, Oklahoma Spine Hospital has reached a settlement after a data breach exposed patient information — reinforcing the legal and financial risks tied to inadequate security controls. Key lessons for healthcare organizations: • Breaches frequently lead to litigation and settlements • HIPAA compliance must be proactive, not reactive • Risk assessments and monitoring are critical • Secure, compliant infrastructure helps reduce exposure Protecting PHI isn’t just about compliance — it’s about safeguarding patient trust and organizational stability. 📖 Read the full article: https://zurl.co/fs1o8 #HIPAACompliance #HealthcareSecurity #CyberSecurity #DataProtection #HealthcareIT #HIPAAVault

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Austin’s healthcare landscape is facing a defining moment. 🏥 The May 2026 deadline for the HIPAA 72-Hour Rule is more than a compliance milestone: it is a call for a new standard of operational resilience. For providers across Central Texas, the window to transition from legacy backups to high-velocity restoration is closing. We see this shift as an opportunity to build stronger, more reliable systems. A robust disaster recovery roadmap isn’t just about meeting a mandate; it’s about ensuring that patient care never waits on a loading screen. Our approach integrates deep technical expertise with tailored automation to ensure your data isn't just saved, but immediately actionable. 🛡️ At ALINEDS, we’re partnering with local organizations to deploy advanced recovery protocols and cloud-optimized environments. By focusing on data restoration capabilities now, we ensure that the 72-hour window becomes a benchmark of success rather than a source of stress. ⏱️ Is your infrastructure prepared for the 2026 transition? Let’s build a more resilient future for Austin healthcare. 🧬 Explore how we’re securing the roadmap. 🧵

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Texas just raised the bar for healthcare transparency and AI trust. As of September 1, the new Texas law (Senate Bill 1188) mandates that all EHRs must be stored within the U.S., accessible only to authorized treatment or billing personnel. Even more significant: any use of AI in diagnostics or treatment must be disclosed to the patient, and clinicians must manually validate any AI-generated insights. This isn’t just compliance—it’s credibility in an age of digital medicine. Healthcare leaders: these requirements create both direction and opportunity. Think patient-first AI workflows, clearer consent protocols, and stronger referral trust by design. What steps are you implementing today to ensure your team’s AI meets transparency and review standards? #HealthcarePolicy #AIinHealthcare #TexasHealthcare #EHRs #Transparency https://lnkd.in/g4uWvYEq?

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The Cost of Compliance Failure in Healthcare & Other Regulated Industries Compliance isn’t paperwork. It’s risk management at executive level. When it fails, the impact is never small. Under HIPAA and General Data Protection Regulation, fines can reach millions. But the real damage is operational shutdowns, ransomware exposure, lost patient trust, and board-level scrutiny. In regulated industries, “the IT team handles it” is no longer acceptable. If your architecture doesn’t include: • Clear data ownership • Role-based access controls • Encryption & monitoring • Documented audit trails You don’t have compliance. You have liability. After 22+ years in healthcare and regulated environments, I’ve learned this: • Digital transformation without governance is reckless. • AI without data control is dangerous. The modern CIO/CTO isn’t just driving innovation. They are designing resilience. Compliance done right doesn’t slow growth. It protects it. #CIO #CTO #HealthcareIT #CyberSecurity #DataGovernance #HIPAA #GDPR

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