Clinical Validation Appeals Track 
May 14-15, 2024

Clinical validation denials continue to rise. It is imperative that denial and appeal management professionals understand the differences between coding and clinical validation denials and how to successfully appeal common clinical validation denials.

This workshop track teaches you to be a successful clinical validation appeal writer. You’ll leave this session with the skills to address clinical validation denials with confidence through proven winning appeal strategies.

This track offers 6.0 CEs/CMEs for: ACDIS, AHIMA, NEMSD, AMEDCO

Speakers:

Karla Hiravi, BSN, RN
Vice President, Clinical Resources, PayerWatch + AppealMasters
Karla is a registered nurse and holds a BSN from the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown. She has over thirty years of varied experiences in healthcare, including Clinical Documentation Improvement (CDI), management of a CDI department, development of a hospital-based denial and appeal program, development of an oncology research program, nurse and physician education, appeal writing, presentations at the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) level, and direct management of appeals at every level, up to post ALJ appeals.

She was a frequent guest speaker at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown for many years, and served as a preceptor for nurse practitioner and Pharm D. students while they studied medical research through the University of Pittsburgh. Karla has been with PayerWatch – AppealMasters since 2016 and continues to participate in and educate clinicians and coders about the medical appeal process.

Kendall Smith, MD
Chief Medical Officer & Chief Physician Advisor, PayerWatch + AppealMasters
Dr. Kendall Smith is a Senior Fellow in Hospital Medicine (SFHM) and currently acts as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Physician Advisor for PayerWatch, a leading appeal educator and appeal services firm for hospitals and health systems. He’s been deeply involved in denial and appeals management throughout his hospitalist career, working collaboratively with UR/Case Management departments as well as Managed Care and Hospital C-Suite executives. His familiarity with managed care denials led him to design and implement a number of CDI programs, including those at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida and the MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He has served as a physician leader on hospital revenue cycle management teams while also serving as a the Physician Advisor for Clinical Resource Management. Dr. Smith is also an AHIMA ICD-CM/PCS approved trainer/ambassador.

Registration:

Registration rates are PER TRACK. You will have the option to register for one or more tracks on the registration form.

AHDAM Member Rates:

Non-Member Rates:

Cancellation Policy: No refunds for cancellations will be provided after April 1, 2024. All cancellations must be in writing, emailed to [email protected] with subject line "AHDAM 2024 Workshop Cancellation: name of registrant."

Questions? Visit the AHDAM 2024 Virtual Workshop Series FAQ.