Welcome to the October Edition of the MRC Insider Newsletter!

Hello colleague,

October is here, and I think we can officially say that fall is in the air! There is something about this time of year that I love. Cooler mornings, football weekends, changing leaves, and maybe a little pumpkin spice for those who enjoy it. It's also a reminder of just how quickly the year is passing us by!

Before we get too far into October, I want to share how wonderful our time was at the AHIMA26 Conference in San Antonio! What an incredible opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces, make new friends, exchange ideas, and hear firsthand about the opportunities and challenges shaping our industry. We were thrilled to welcome so many visitors to our OASIS booth, where our theme of finding your break and recharging really seemed to resonate. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to spend time with us. The conversations and connections were truly the highlight of the conference. We're already looking forward to AHIMA27 in Phoenix! 🌵

As the leaves begin to change, I've been thinking about how much change is a part of our everyday lives, both personally and professionally. In healthcare, change is practically a constant companion. New technology, evolving regulations, changing customer needs, and new ways of doing things can certainly keep us on our toes!

While change isn't always comfortable, it often brings opportunities we might not have otherwise considered. Sometimes it challenges us to learn something new, approach a problem differently, or simply let go of the familiar to make room for something better. We don't have to love every change that comes our way, but being willing to embrace it with an open mind can make all the difference.

October also marks the beginning of our final quarter of 2026. Our coding teams are navigating the annual ICD-10 updates, year-end priorities are coming into focus, and before we know it, the holidays will be here. It's a busy season, but also a great opportunity to reflect on how far we've come and what we still hope to accomplish before the year ends.

One thing that never goes out of season is appreciation. To our e4health team members, customers, and industry partners, thank you for the work you do, the relationships we've built, and the trust we share. No matter how much our industry changes, it's the people behind the work who continue to make the greatest difference.

I hope October brings you a little cooler weather, a few moments to slow down, and maybe even the courage to embrace a change you've been putting off. After all, some of the most beautiful things about fall come from change itself. 🍁

Wishing you a wonderful October!

Warm regards,

e4health On-Demand Coding Debuts
at AHIMA26!

Everything else is On Demand.

Your coding coverage should be, too.

Introduced at AHIMA26, e4health On-Demand Coding Services connects you with qualified remote production coders matched to your specialty and schedule. A flat hourly rate. No subscription. No minimums. Just flexible support to tackle backlogs, fill coding gaps, and keep your head above water when volume picks up.

Interested? You give us 15 minutes. We'll do the rest.

Backed by Black Book's Newest #1 Ranking!

Black Book recently named e4health the #1 client-rated vendor in Clinical Denial, Appeal and Documentation Recovery Services as part of its expanded 2027 mid-revenue cycle research framework. This latest recognition builds on three consecutive years ranked #1 in HIM Advisory and reflects what on-demand clients can expect: coding that holds up when payers push back.

Thank You, San Antonio!

It was wonderful connecting with so many of you at AHIMA26 in San Antonio! The e4health Oasis offered a chance to recharge and talk mid-revenue cycle, from shared challenges in coding, CDI, and HIM to opportunities to strengthen accuracy, streamline workflows, and support our teams. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and made those conversations so meaningful. Missed out on seeing the e4health booth? Click here to visit our virtual Oasis.🌿

🔥 Hot Off The Press!

💡 In the latest MRC Insider, Kristine Venverloh, CPC, Coding Operations Manager, makes the case that the qualities that set exceptional coders apart can’t be measured by credentials alone. She explores how a positive attitude, a willingness to ask questions, openness to feedback, and the initiative to step forward shape both individual growth and team success.

Did You Receive Our Latest Start Smart?

📚 Our latest Start Smart landed in inboxes Monday, continuing our pediatric diagnosis series with a condition that reaches well beyond childhood: cystic fibrosis (CF). This edition explores coding for different sites of manifestation, when an unspecified code applies, and the documentation terms and ICD-10-CM instructional notes coders and auditors should watch for.

🎓 Looking for customized coding education for your organization? We'd love to help. Reach out to education@e4.health to start the conversation.

Our Upcoming CDI Roundtable (FREE CEUs!)

💡Query rates and chart review counts show how busy your CDI team is. They don't show whether documentation actually improved, whether the coding held up, or whether the program earned its budget. Join our CDI experts for a practical look at what a real CDI quality program measures, and how to stand one up without adding headcount.

Seats are limited. Grab your spot while there's still room ...

Brand New e4health TAlks Podcast Episode!

🎙️ Before she was a COO, she was walking bean fields in Iowa. 🌱 In Episode 4 of e4health TAlks, Lauren Alston sits down with Staci Josten, Chief Operating Officer of Mid-Revenue Cycle, to explore her journey from bedside nursing to healthcare leadership.

In Case You Missed It ...

💡 e4health's Nicole Langevin breaks down why mastery in coding is never a finish line. She covers where the best education actually happens, outside the classroom in the difficult operative report or the audit finding, and what leaders can do to help their teams keep growing.

Team Spotlight

Johnna W.

Medical Coding Integrity Specialist

Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? I am originally from St. Marys, West Virginia, but I currently call Vienna, WV home. My family includes my two wonderful adult children, Whitney and Jordan, and my four beautiful grandchildren.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? In my free time, I love going to the beach just to relax, listen to the waves, and soaking up the sunshine. I also enjoy walking, spending quality time with my family, and cheering on my granddaughter at her softball games.

How long have you worked in healthcare and/or your current profession? I have worked in healthcare for over 26 years. I started my career as a receptionist and went on to spend many years as an Office Manager for both ENT and Primary Care practice.

Tell us about your career journey. As an Office Manager, I had my hands in just about everything. Back then, we handled charge entry, which we now call coding—and it completely sparked my interest. When my previous employer opened a coding and auditing department, I jumped at the chance to apply. That is where I earned my Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential. I spent a few years coding before transitioning into auditing and educating both coders and providers. Eventually, I found my professional home here at e4health!

What is your current role, and what do you enjoy most about it? I am a Medical Coding Integrity Specialist, and this coming December, I will be celebrating my 5-year anniversary with the company!

Tell us a fun fact about you! Recently, I’ve taken up a big interest in growing flowers!

Quality Myth vs. Reality

MYTH: QA’s job is to point out mistakes.

REALITY: QA helps us pause, validate our decisions, and learn from different interpretations.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s continuous learning, stronger decisions, and greater consistency.

Have a topic you’d like to see covered in a future section of "Quality with Chelsea" in the e4health MRC Insider? Send your ideas to ccouperthwaite@e4.health. The Internal Quality Audit team welcomes opportunities to learn together and strengthen coding quality across the revenue cycle.

Employee Engagement Tip!

Brought to you by e4health's SVP of Mid-Revenue Cycle Solutions, Amanda Corley

Who's Encouraging the Encouragers?

Working in a remote environment has its advantages, but I'll admit that getting to spend time with colleagues in person recently was a welcome change! There is something about face-to-face conversations, shared laughter, and those little moments between meetings that just can't quite be replicated through a computer screen.

It also got me thinking about engagement at the leadership level.

As leaders, we spend a tremendous amount of time focused on our teams. Are they engaged? Do they feel supported? Are we recognizing their accomplishments and providing opportunities to grow? All important questions, but how often do we stop to ask those same questions about our leaders?

Leadership can be rewarding, but it can also be exhausting. Much of the work happens behind the scenes, and the people carrying the greatest responsibility aren't always the ones receiving encouragement.

Here's something worth trying: Give your leaders a seat at the table before the decisions are made.

Rather than waiting until a decision has been made to communicate a change, invite your leaders into the conversation while ideas are still taking shape. Ask what they see from their perspective, what concerns they anticipate, and what they would do differently.

Even better, occasionally ask a leader to bring forward one idea they believe could improve the business, whether it falls within their department or not. Give them the opportunity to help shape the solution and, when appropriate, take ownership of bringing it to life.

It doesn't require another standing meeting, a new committee, or a complicated engagement program. It simply requires making room for the people closest to the work to influence where we're headed.

And don't forget to recognize the contributions that aren't always reflected in a performance report. The leader who quietly mentors someone, helps another department through a difficult situation, or finds a better way to do something deserves to know those efforts are seen.

My recent in-person connections were a great reminder that relationships matter at every level of an organization. We may not always have the luxury of gathering around the same table, but we can make sure our leaders know their voices matter at that table.

Engagement isn't just about keeping people happy where they are. It's about helping them feel invested in where we're going.

Coding Humor

Looking to enhance operational efficiency, maximize reimbursement, and reduce denials? Schedule a brief discovery call by clicking here to fill out a short form, and our team will reach out to assist you!

Check out some of our latest blog posts, articles, and education from our other services:

Health IT Case Study: Four Service Lines, One Accountable Partner: Building the Foundation Before Epic Goes Live

HIM Case Study: Rapid, Multi-Service Data Integrity Support for a Regional Health System

CDI Roundtable (Free CEUs): Click here to register for the upcoming CDI Roundtable!

📰 Industry News: Coding & Auditing Updates

💸 AHA Challenges Report Linking AI to Higher Coding Costs

The American Hospital Association is disputing a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association analysis linking increased coding intensity to AI-enabled billing tools. The AHA argues that the analysis lacks medical record review and sufficient consideration of patient complexity to determine whether diagnoses were appropriately coded.
Source: Becker’s Hospital Review

🏥 Electronic Prior Authorization: Questions to Ask Your Vendors Now

With electronic prior authorization requirements for impacted payers approaching in January 2027, this article outlines questions providers should ask their EHR and billing vendors. Key considerations include payer connectivity, documentation exchange, workflow testing, and responsibility for stalled requests.
Source: Medical Economics

🧾 Proposed Legislation Would Set Timelines for Medicare Coverage Reviews

The AMA’s latest National Advocacy Update highlights bipartisan legislation that would establish enforceable timelines for Medicare contractors to review local coverage determination requests and reconsiderations. The proposal also calls for public meetings, expert clinical input, and agency-level review of final reconsideration decisions.
Source: American Medical Association

The Door's Open!

🚀 Interested in joining our team? We're currently hiring across a variety of roles nationwide.

🔎Browse our open positions by clicking here.

Have questions about a position or want to learn more about life at e4health? Connect with our Talent Acquisition team today. We'd love to start the conversation.

e4health is a Great Place To Work® for the 5th Consecutive Year!

Five years of certification isn't just a milestone. It's a reflection of the incredible people who make e4health what it is every single day. 🏆

Our culture is built on collaboration, trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to supporting one another while making a meaningful impact for our clients and the communities they serve. This recognition comes directly from our team, making it one of the achievements we're most proud of.

To every member of the e4health family: thank you for helping create a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. This recognition belongs to all of you.

Here's to five years of Great Place To Work® Certification... and to an even brighter future ahead!

🔎 Click here to read the press release for more information!

Our Core Values

e4.health

e4health, 3202 McKnight East Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, United States, 8884434782

Manage preferences