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forward slash beckers podcast.
Hello, everyone. This is Gracelyn Keller with Becker's
Healthcare. Thank you so much for tuning in
to part two of the series, Innovating for
Impact, Information to Consider for the Next Era
of ASCs.
Joining us again for this discussion is Claude
Royster, who is the vice president and general
manager of Health and Wellness, and Cathy McDowell,
who is the president and CEO of Karen
Zipco and Associates. Claude and Cathy, thank you
for being here today.
Thank you again.
So let's jump right in. Claude, I have
a question for you specifically.
What are some of the challenges ASC leaders
may face when trying to pursue deeper tech
integration, and what strategies have you seen work
to meet those challenges head on?
Well, I'll start. According to the survey respondents
in article from budget bleed to burnout, the
top ASC challenges defining 2025
from the ambulatory surgery center
news this year, Rising operational costs, 31.3%,
and staff constraints, 25%, are the most cited
challenges for ASC operators in 2025.
Some of the key challenges ASC practice leaders
may face when trying to integrate deeper tech
integration are navigating staff workloads
and maintaining efficient practice operations during tech implementation.
A key strategy for streamlining tech integrations for
ASC practice leaders could be choosing a finance
partner within the industry
that provides resources to address multiple challenges as
opposed to integrating an array of solutions from
different partners.
For example,
Synchrony provides innovative digital solutions within the health
care finance industry.
That could support leaders in finding one solution
to address multiple challenges.
And a follow-up to that, is there one
technology or innovation that stands out to you
as especially transformative?
I see the integration of technology for for
expanding consumer payment options options for care through
multi source financing
solutions or MSF
as especially vital for providers and patients.
An MSF approach could connect more patients with
credible lenders to help them structure payments for
the care they desire and may support practices
to reduce receivables.
Notably,
my organization has three key things that make
MSF approach especially meaningful.
Number one, it unlocks more credit approvals increasing
the likelihood that patients can finance the care
they want. Secondly,
it helps providers receive timely payments. And then
lastly, it reduces the financial risk associated
with, offering in house financing.
And shifting gears slightly,
60%
of health systems are considering ASC joint ventures,
and many ASCs are already partnering with systems
in their communities.
So what opportunities do you both see for
collaboration, whether with providers or vendors, to strengthen
patient care and operational efficiency?
Sure. I think we live in an age
where there is digital solution or counterpart
for many of the challenges practices or patients
are facing. What stands out to me as
transformative is making easily accessible through user friendly
interfaces and integration.
When we search for opportunities for collaboration, I
think integrating a third party financing partner into
current processes could be vital.
A study from VMG Health, health system leader
expectations for 2024
highlights that recent years have been particularly challenging
for health care system leaders due to cost
increase for supplies and labor
and specific,
specialty provider
recruitment and retention rates
only add to the increasing competitive landscape.
Kathy?
Thanks. For ASC's practice leaders considering a partner,
they should look for teams that have a
clear understanding of the health care industry's needs
and that offer solutions to integrate with existing
systems that can support financial communication throughout the
patient journey.
One area to strengthen operational efficiencies are financing,
processes.
CareCredit's 2025
in house payments report shows that survey providers
are agreeing that in house financing models add
work to the staff, 72%
in fact, add stress for staffs, 47%.
And fewer say it is easy to use,
46%,
compared to responses for third party financing.
So then, Claude, another question for you. What
are the real world impacts of meaningful integration
and collaboration on health care delivery?
Well, meaningful digital integration for ASC practices may
allow staff to focus more time on delivering
quality care to patients and enhancing the patient
experience.
I discussed briefly the value of partnering with
finance financing partners with digital solutions and some
real world impacts of ISV and MSF solutions
alongside third party financing options like CareCredit.
Some real world impacts could be like,
one, streamlining administrative billing process with solutions directly
implemented into the current practice management software.
The ability to offer more financial options for
patients through MSF and the CareCredit
card to meet patients at meaningful moments for
their care.
And thirdly, confidence in relaying vital information in
patients about their financial options through online educational
resources and tools.
Well, thank you both for sharing these insights
today. Is there anything that we didn't touch
on or any final thoughts that you'd like
to share on the podcast?
Sure. I I hope this discussion provided more
meaningful background on ASC leaders,
how ASC leaders can be well equipped to
address challenges head on and continue focusing on
delivering,
quality patient care. Partnering with CareCredit health practices
meet patients' needs, stay competitive, and improve payment
processes and reduce administrative burden.
I'd like to share as we think about
the all these pieces,
it is what makes third party financing partners
like CareCredit different and ideal for addressing your
practice leaders' needs.
Couple of key points, fast payments that help
improve cash flow.
We ensure payment in just two days so
patient providers get paid with no risk when
patients pay with the CareCredit credit card, subject
to the representation of warranties in the agreement
with CareCredit.
We offer transparent practice transaction processing fees. We
offer clear upfront pricing with no hidden fees.
And then lastly, patients can see if they
qualify for the CareCredit credit card with no
impact to their credit score. Our processes are
simple seamless and have no impact to the
credit scores.
We also offer responsible, ethical, and transparent lending.
Our fair financing principles,
ethical and transparent lending, Synchrony is a responsible
lender. We we train the providers in our
network and provide clear disclosures to cardholders as
part of our application process.
That allows them to understand the account terms
as well as the available promotional financing options.
CareCredit offers provider focused tools, including collaborative consultations,
improving payment processes,
and fast provider payments within two business days
with no provider risk if patients delay or
default.
Additional support includes staff training, on-site
assistance, and educational tools to strengthen financial conversations
with patients. Kathy?
Sure. Just add to that, Claude, that adding
financial planning to the care experience is very
important.
Training staff upfront so they are comfortable with
the platforms that your practice has and including
this full holistic picture of the care of
the patient in your treatment.
Wonderful. Well, thank you, Claude and Cathy, for
your time and insights today. We also wanna
thank our podcast sponsor, CareCredit.
You can tune into more podcasts from Becker's
Healthcare by visiting our podcast page at beckershospitalreview.com.
Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you.