Revenue Cycle Integration and Payment Automation at SimonMed Imaging

Client: SimonMed Imaging

Industry: Healthcare / Radiology

Challenge

SimonMed was experiencing significant gaps in revenue cycle efficiency, particularly around patient collections at the time of service. Front desk and billing teams lacked real-time access to patient benefits information, leading to missed opportunities to collect copays, deductibles, and patient balances during appointments. At the time, nearly no money was collected at time of service, creating cash flow issues as the company expanded rapidly from approximately 60 to over 200 locations.

Solution

I designed and developed a comprehensive revenue cycle application that integrated directly with SimonMed’s Radiology Information System (RIS) and external platforms like Change Healthcare. Key components included:

• Real-Time Benefits Verification: Automated downloads of patient benefits reports from Change Healthcare, parsing copays, deductibles, and coverage details.
• Custom Contracts Database: Built a contracts database and logic engine to match procedures with fee schedules and accurately calculate patient responsibility at time of service.
• Color-Coded Worklists: Created intuitive, color-coded dashboards to help financial services staff quickly identify patients needing follow-up for coverage lapses or inadequate insurance.
• Front Desk Payment Tools: Delivered a real-time scheduled appointments page and walk-in patient tool, empowering front desk teams to verify benefits and collect payments during check-in.
• SMS Integration: Enabled automated text message reminders, including appointment confirmations and estimated amounts due at the time of service.
• HL7 Billing Integration: Seamlessly transmitted billing data to external billing providers via an HL7 interface for faster processing.

Results

• 25% of total company revenue was being collected at the time of service—up from nearly zero.
• Front desk operations became faster, more accurate, and significantly more patient-friendly.
• Billing and revenue cycle teams had real-time insights into insurance eligibility and collections pipelines.
• Supported the company's successful expansion from 60+ to 200+ locations.

Client Testimonial

"Chris Bender is a hardworking team member that's goal is to provide the end user with an application that's going to enhance their quality and work. Truly showcasing his abilities by giving us a product that was far better than we initially anticipated and continually improving through constant feedback. A true pleasure to work with."
— Von Doss, VP of Marketing, SimonMed Imaging

Summary of Impact

This revenue cycle platform fundamentally transformed how SimonMed managed patient billing, collections, and insurance workflows. It not only created a sustainable, scalable financial foundation for the company’s growth but also delivered a dramatically better experience for patients, front desk staff, and operational leadership alike.