The Healthcare Financial Management Association named John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital among nine health care organization winners of the 2012 MAP Award for High Performance in Revenue Cycle. More than 160 organizations from all parts of the nation applied for the award, considered an “Academy Award” by the finance industry.

Deer Valley Hospital was the only Arizona hospital included among the winners.

Hospitals must be in the top 10 percent in Revenue Cycle performance to even submit an application for the award. As a national award winner, the Deer Valley Hospital has met or exceeded stringent evaluation criteria addressing critical performance factors such as revenue cycle processes, financial performance, innovation, adoption of Patient Friendly Billing principles, and patient satisfaction.

The 250-person Revenue Cycle department at John C. Lincoln handles many diverse administrative functions that help to insure the hospital is paid for care provided while also helping patients get the most out of their insurance and manage their financial obligations.

“The Revenue Cycle process is a complex system, but absolutely essential for keeping our doors open and assisting our patients,” said Rhonda Forsyth, president and CEO of the Deer Valley Hospital’s parent organization, John C. Lincoln Health Network.

Revenue Cycle team members, who include registration and admitting staff, are usually the first contacts a patient has with the John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital system. Often Revenue Cycle team members are also the last contact patients have with John C. Lincoln, because they assist people with their insurance plans and provide those without insurance with ways to qualify for assistance.

The Revenue Cycle team are responsible for clinical and account coding, claims and posting account payments. They also manage our government and commercial insurance relationships and audit for compliance.

Winners of HFMA’s MAP award are evaluated with 25 comprehensive, definitive metrics of revenue cycle performance called MAP Keys. MAP stands for measure performance, apply evidence-based strategies for improvement, and perform to the highest standards in today’s challenging healthcare environment.

The MAP Award recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence across all MAP Key categories: patient access, revenue integrity, claims adjudication and management.

“Winners have shown innovative and effective revenue cycle practices that deliver sustainable financial performance, set the bar for the industry and, ultimately, enable better patient care,” said Richard L. Clarke, HFMA president and CEO.

MAP winners were recognized during ANI: The HFMA National Institute, June 24-27, in Las Vegas.

For more information on John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital, visit their website at jcl.com/hospitals/deer-valley.