SUNY credits Grant Thornton LLP for helping put most of the revenue cycle metrics in the country’s top quartiles and its EPIC transition being characterized as one of the most successful in the country.
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1. Academic hospital
gains best-of-practice
revenue cycle
THE SITUATION
The State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate
Medical University operates two hospitals in Syracuse
and is the only academic medical center in central
New York. With more than 9,000 employees, the
university is the region’s largest employer.
Almost two years ago, we engaged Grant Thornton
with lofty expectations for facilitating a complete
revenue cycle overhaul, assisting us with an extremely
critical system conversion to Epic and ultimately
optimizing process flows in a post-Epic environment.
Upstate is a large public academic medical center,
and at the time, our revenue cycle indicators were
mediocre at best. We needed a consultant that could
quickly survey our organization and processes,
develop a plan of attack and help us execute. Grant
Thornton did just that, and more. Their team of highly
competent, professional and diligent consultants (led
by Lane Jackson and Matt Oliver) far exceeded my
expectations for the engagement. They were truly
invested in delivering results. In summary, today most
of our revenue cycle metrics are in the top quartiles of
the country and our Epic transition was characterized
as one of the most successful in the country. Hiring
Grant Thornton was the best investment I’ve made
during my tenure at SUNY Upstate!
— Stuart M. Wright
Chief Financial Officer, University Hospital
THE CHALLENGES
Upstate’s revenue cycle process and financial
performance were not optimal, with lagging cash
collections and a rapidly aging accounts receivable.
Management desired to appropriately restructure the
central business office, while optimizing processes
concurrent with an Epic build and implementation.
Upstate did not have an in-house team to lead
necessary improvements.
Grant Thornton LLP’s work was instrumental in Epic’s naming of SUNY’s Upstate
Medical University as a Top Quartile performer in Epic-generated metrics and awarding
of SUNY as the 2014 Epic Revenue Cycle Most Valuable Performer. Epic is Upstate
Medical University’s electronic health record (EHR) management application vendor.
Case study
Client
SUNY Upstate
Medical University
Sector
Health care
Client challenge
Revenue cycle capabilities
Services provided
Process and
structure improvements