Technology Leaders & Revenue Cycle Management
- healthcare CIOs are increasingly focused on the role of IT in boosting financial performance, particularly in revenue cycle management (RCM).
- Audrius Polikaitis, CIO of UI Health, emphasized the need for a clinically driven revenue cycle.He noted a past disconnect between clinical teams and financial operations, stressing that many...
- Dustin Cragun,VP at KLAS,highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships between CIOs and revenue cycle teams.
IT leaders are actively reshaping revenue cycle management (RCM) to boost financial performance and enhance patient care.Discover how CIOs are recognizing RCM as a pivotal area for technology-driven change, moving beyond the customary back-office approach. A recent webinar highlighted the strategic importance of aligning technology with financial goals through key partnerships, emphasizing that a healthy revenue cycle is essential for both innovation and patient well-being. Explore the value of strategic partnerships and the impact of AI on optimizing revenue operations. These experts discuss the integration of technology and financial operations. For insights into the future of RCM and how tech leaders are driving improvements, visit News Directory 3. Discover what’s next in healthcare.
Technology Leaders Rev Up Revenue Cycle Management for financial Health
Updated June 25, 2025
healthcare CIOs are increasingly focused on the role of IT in boosting financial performance, particularly in revenue cycle management (RCM). Traditionally viewed as a back-office function, RCM is now being recognized as a critical area for technology leadership to drive change and improve hospital margins. This shift was a key topic during a recent webinar featuring insights from industry experts.
Audrius Polikaitis, CIO of UI Health, emphasized the need for a clinically driven revenue cycle.He noted a past disconnect between clinical teams and financial operations, stressing that many revenue cycle activities begin before or during patient encounters. Nayan Patel, SVP at finthrive, echoed this, stating that revenue cycle is about people and processes, not just technology. he urged CIOs to proactively engage with revenue cycle teams to understand their goals and how technology can enable them.
Dustin Cragun,VP at KLAS,highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships between CIOs and revenue cycle teams. He argued that true transformation requires shared ownership and aligned outcomes, with IT leaders providing solutions to the bottlenecks identified by revenue cycle leaders. This collaborative approach is essential for achieving results in revenue operations.
The panelists also discussed the impact of AI and automation on revenue operations. Patel said that AI is taking automation to the next level,optimizing claim submissions and identifying missed coverage opportunities. Cragun noted the potential of AI to audit charts and increase revenue. However, they cautioned against solely focusing on technology, emphasizing the need for strategic vendor relationships and proactive service.
Polikaitis stressed the importance of not neglecting core operations in pursuit of new trends. He said that a healthy revenue cycle is essential for investing in innovation, supporting clinical programs, and fulfilling the hospital’s mission. He added that interdependence and a common language are crucial for driving progress, emphasizing that revenue cycle is ultimately about patient care.
“Ther was this notion that clinical teams would do their work and then throw everything over the fence. We came to realize how naive that view was. Many revenue cycle activities begin before or during the clinical encounter,” Polikaitis said.
“revenue cycle is about people and processes, not just technology. It starts on the front end-identifying the patient, understanding their coverage-and continues through the entire journey,” Patel said.
“When the CIO and VP of revenue cycle work together, they bring different strengths. Revenue cycle leaders know the bottlenecks; IT leaders know how to solve them. You need both to get results,” Cragun said.
What’s next
Hospitals are expected to continue integrating technology and financial operations, with a focus on leveraging AI and automation to improve revenue cycle efficiency and patient outcomes. Strategic partnerships between IT and revenue cycle leaders will be crucial for driving enduring improvements and ensuring financial health.