In this episode of the MGMA Week in Review podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett share timely insights on the most pressing issues in healthcare. They cover key takeaways from the MGMA Summit, explore the latest compensation strategies, and highlight innovative trends shaping the connected patient experience. You'll also hear discussion on CMS policy changes, violence in healthcare settings, and how practices can improve engagement and workplace safety.

00:51 Introduction and Podcast Overview

02:01 MGMA Stat Poll: Compensation Strategy Insights (MGMA Stat)

03:44 Highlights from the MGMA Summit Digital Conference (MGMA Summit)

09:42 CMS Rescinds Emergency Abortion Guidance (Fierce HealthCare)

11:44 Violence Against Healthcare Workers: A Growing Concern (Chief Healthcare Executive)

15:07 The Connected Patient Experience: Embracing Innovation (Med City News)

16:38 Conclusion and Upcoming Content

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Playbooks
• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Sponsor Boost Lingo
This episode is brought to you by Boost Lingo, the language services platform behind MGMA Translate, interpreter delays and high agency fees, strain budgets, and staff morale. Boost lingo on demand fixes both tap once and a qualified medical interpreter joins in about 13 seconds. Video or phone on any device. No steep learning curve. It just works. Tap, connect, care. Choose from 14,000 interpreters covering over 300 languages. Fully HIPAA compliant. Your staff will love the ease and your patients will too. Plus MGMA members save 20%. Visit https://boostlingo.com/mgma/ to see it in action today.

Podcast Sponsor MGMA Analytics
Are you making decisions based on gut instinct—or on real data?
With MGMA Analytics, you get the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to drive smarter strategies.
From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics gives you access to the most trusted data in the industry.
So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, make your next move with confidence.
Visit MGMA Analytics to learn more.

In this episode of the MGMA Member Spotlight Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Dr. Dea Robinson, a healthcare leader with extensive experience in hospital medicine, consulting, and organizational learning. Dr. Robinson shares her career path, insights on physician burnout, the importance of mentorship, and strategies for building meaningful connections in healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

• [01:02] Dr. Robinson's journey into healthcare
• [05:43] Mentorship through MGMA
• [09:34] High engagement and burnout among physicians
• [14:13] Clinical vs. non-clinical engagement
• [18:58] The importance of intentional human connection
• [22:23] The importance of mentorship for professional development
• [26:07] Guiding younger physician leaders and embedding accountability
• [29:11] Using the workplace as a learning laboratory

Resources:
Connect with Dr. Dea Robinson on LinkedIn
Receive expert guidance through the MGMA Mentor Program
Dr. Dea Robinson's co-authored AJM study: The 5 Rs of Cultural Humility

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Playbooks
• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Sponsor Boost Lingo
This episode is brought to you by Boost Lingo, the language services platform behind MGMA Translate, interpreter delays and high agency fees, strain budgets, and staff morale. Boost lingo on demand fixes both tap once and a qualified medical interpreter joins in about 13 seconds. Video or phone on any device. No steep learning curve. It just works. Tap, connect, care. Choose from 14,000 interpreters covering over 300 languages. Fully HIPAA compliant. Your staff will love the ease and your patients will too. Plus MGMA members save 20%. Visit https://boostlingo.com/mgma/ to see it in action today.

Podcast Sponsor MGMA Analytics
Are you making decisions based on gut instinct—or on real data?
With MGMA Analytics, you get the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to drive smarter strategies.
From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics gives you access to the most trusted data in the industry.
So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, make your next move with confidence.
Visit MGMA Analytics to learn more.

In this episode of the MGMA Week in Review podcast, host Daniel Williams shares timely updates on key issues facing medical practices. The episode begins with a look at how organizations are managing paid time off (PTO) and why effective PTO policies are vital to workplace culture and employee retention. It then explores the growing integration of behavioral health into primary care, with a focus on collaborative care models. The episode wraps with a spotlight on the phrase “We’ll take care of that,” and how those five words can significantly enhance the patient experience.

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
00:43 Welcome to MGMA Week in Review
01:07 Handling Medical Practice Staff's PTO (MGMA Stat)
03:38 Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care (Axios)
05:59 The Power of 'We'll Take Care of That' (Physicians Practice)
07:11 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Playbooks
• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Sponsor Boost Lingo
This episode is brought to you by Boost Lingo, the language services platform behind MGMA Translate, interpreter delays and high agency fees, strain budgets, and staff morale. Boost lingo on demand fixes both tap once and a qualified medical interpreter joins in about 13 seconds. Video or phone on any device. No steep learning curve. It just works. Tap, connect, care. Choose from 14,000 interpreters covering over 300 languages. Fully HIPAA compliant. Your staff will love the ease and your patients will too. Plus MGMA members save 20%. Visit https://boostlingo.com/mgma/ to see it in action today.

Podcast Sponsor MGMA Analytics
Are you making decisions based on gut instinct—or on real data?
With MGMA Analytics, you get the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to drive smarter strategies.
From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics gives you access to the most trusted data in the industry.
So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, make your next move with confidence.
Visit MGMA Analytics to learn more.

In this episode, host Daniel Williams talks with senior advisor Cristy Good about practical ways to cut costs and boost efficiency in medical practices. They address key challenges like rising labor, tech, and inflation-driven expenses, and explore solutions such as cloud-based tools, smarter scheduling, strategic outsourcing, and cross-training staff. The episode also covers how to avoid overspending and make better use of group purchasing organizations. Cristy offers advice for leaders feeling overwhelmed by vendor costs and explains how MGMA members can get additional support.

00:50 Introduction and Welcome

01:21 Today's Topic: Reducing Expenses and Boosting Efficiency

02:15 Challenges in Cost Management

04:25 Effective Cost-Cutting Strategies

09:54 Cross-Training and Scheduling Innovations

11:14 Leveraging Group Purchasing Organizations

13:12 Conclusion and Contact Information

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Playbooks
• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Sponsor Boost Lingo
This episode is brought to you by Boost Lingo, the language services platform behind MGMA Translate, interpreter delays and high agency fees, strain budgets, and staff morale. Boost lingo on demand fixes both tap once and a qualified medical interpreter joins in about 13 seconds. Video or phone on any device. No steep learning curve. It just works. Tap, connect, care. Choose from 14,000 interpreters covering over 300 languages. Fully HIPAA compliant. Your staff will love the ease and your patients will too. Plus MGMA members save 20%. Visit https://boostlingo.com/mgma/ to see it in action today.

Podcast Sponsor MGMA Analytics
Are you making decisions based on gut instinct—or on real data?
With MGMA Analytics, you get the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to drive smarter strategies.
From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics gives you access to the most trusted data in the industry.
So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, make your next move with confidence.
Visit MGMA Analytics to learn more.

In this MGMA Insights podcast episode, Daniel Williams sits down with Dr. Sunita Sah, a tenured professor at Cornell University and author of Defy. Together, they explore the subtle but powerful psychology behind compliance and informed consent. Drawing from her experiences as a physician and organizational psychologist, Dr. Sah discusses why patients — and even medical professionals — often follow advice they disagree with, and how we can build greater confidence, clarity, and autonomy in healthcare decision-making.

[00:04:00] The Scan She Didn’t Want

• Dr. Sah tells a personal ER story that sparked her research into why we comply, even when we know we shouldn't.

[00:09:00] The Five Elements of True Consent

• A breakdown of capacity, knowledge, understanding, freedom to say no, and personal authorization — and how this differs from compliance.

[00:14:00] Why It’s Hard to Speak Up

• “Insinuation anxiety” is the discomfort we feel when we risk questioning those in power — even when the stakes are high.

[00:20:00] Leadership Lessons from Healthcare Classrooms

• Dr. Sah shares how physicians in her Cornell classes are rethinking how they lead and communicate through values-driven decision-making.

[00:24:00] False Defiance vs. Real Defiance

• Not all resistance is rooted in values. Dr. Sah explains how to recognize the difference between performative opposition and meaningful dissent.

Resources:

• Dr. Sunita Sah’s Website
• Defy by Dr. Sunita Sah - Buy on Amazon or Listen on Audible
• Join the MGMA Book Club — Defy is featured in an upcoming session
• More MGMA Insights Episodes

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Playbooks
• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Sponsor Boost Lingo
This episode is brought to you by Boost Lingo, the language services platform behind MGMA Translate, interpreter delays and high agency fees, strain budgets, and staff morale. Boost lingo on demand fixes both tap once and a qualified medical interpreter joins in about 13 seconds. Video or phone on any device. No steep learning curve. It just works. Tap, connect, care. Choose from 14,000 interpreters covering over 300 languages. Fully HIPAA compliant. Your staff will love the ease and your patients will too. Plus MGMA members save 20%. Visit https://boostlingo.com/mgma/ to see it in action today.

Podcast Sponsor MGMA Analytics
Are you making decisions based on gut instinct—or on real data?
With MGMA Analytics, you get the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to drive smarter strategies.
From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics gives you access to the most trusted data in the industry.
So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, make your next move with confidence.
Visit MGMA Analytics to learn more.

In this episode of the MGMA Weekend Review, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss major trends affecting independent medical practices, including the rise of AI tools that lessen administrative burdens and combat physician burnout. Additionally, they explore the potential impacts of the U.S. House's recently passed Medicaid cuts, urging listeners to stay informed and advocate for their needs.

00:50 Introduction and Weekly Catch-Up

02:09 AI in Medical Practices (Healthcare IT News)

05:26 Managing Stress and Burnout (MGMA Stat)

08:08 Virtual Care: The Future of Healthcare (Medical Economics)

12:06 Medicaid Cuts and Their Impact (Healthcare Dive)

16:07 Conclusion and Sign-Off

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Playbooks
• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Sponsor Boost Lingo
This episode is brought to you by Boost Lingo, the language services platform behind MGMA Translate, interpreter delays and high agency fees, strain budgets, and staff morale. Boost lingo on demand fixes both tap once and a qualified medical interpreter joins in about 13 seconds. Video or phone on any device. No steep learning curve. It just works. Tap, connect, care. Choose from 14,000 interpreters covering over 300 languages. Fully HIPAA compliant. Your staff will love the ease and your patients will too. Plus MGMA members save 20%. Visit https://boostlingo.com/mgma/ to see it in action today.

Podcast Sponsor MGMA Analytics
Are you making decisions based on gut instinct—or on real data?
With MGMA Analytics, you get the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to drive smarter strategies.
From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics gives you access to the most trusted data in the industry.
So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, make your next move with confidence.
Visit MGMA Analytics to learn more.

Author and psychotherapist Britt Frank returns to the MGMA Insights podcast to discuss her new book, Align Your Mind. She and host Daniel Williams explore the power of "parts work," how to navigate the inner critic, manage stress during high-pressure times, and lead yourself with more clarity and compassion.

Key Takeaways:

• 00:45 — Welcoming back Britt Frank; Introduction to her new book, Align Your Mind; book availability at local and national retailers.
• 02:15 — Why "Align" Your Mind, Not "Fix" It: Britt compares mental health to tire or spinal alignment — a shift in thinking about how we manage ourselves.
• 06:10 — Introduction to "Parts Work": Understanding the mind as a system of different parts and voices; practical everyday examples (e.g., "part of me wants to relax, part of me wants to work").
• 09:10 — How to Build a Relationship with Your Inner Critic: Instead of fighting it, validate it ("That's a little bit true") to deactivate stress responses.
• 13:30 — Real-World Mindfulness: Daniel shares his retreat disappointment; Britt explains how to "diffuse" from negative thinking and find alternative truths.
• 18:50 — Managing Stress in Healthcare Settings: How to realign expectations realistically when facing staff shortages, flu season, and patient overflow.
• 22:30 — Micro-Yes Strategy: How to break big challenges into tiny, doable steps to prevent overwhelm and support momentum.

Resources:

• Britt Frank’s Website: brittfrank.com
• Purchase Align Your Mind at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Target
• Connect with Britt Frank on LinkedIn

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Playbooks
• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com if you would like to appear on an episode. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts.

Podcast Sponsor Boost Lingo
This episode is brought to you by Boost Lingo, the language services platform behind MGMA Translate, interpreter delays and high agency fees, strain budgets, and staff morale. Boost lingo on demand fixes both tap once and a qualified medical interpreter joins in about 13 seconds. Video or phone on any device. No steep learning curve. It just works. Tap, connect, care. Choose from 14,000 interpreters covering over 300 languages. Fully HIPAA compliant. Your staff will love the ease and your patients will too. Plus MGMA members save 20%. Visit https://boostlingo.com/mgma/ to see it in action today.

Podcast Sponsor MGMA Analytics
Are you making decisions based on gut instinct—or on real data?
With MGMA Analytics, you get the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to drive smarter strategies.
From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics gives you access to the most trusted data in the industry.
So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, make your next move with confidence.
Visit MGMA Analytics to learn more.

In this episode of the Ask MGMA Podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Christy Good dig into one of the most urgent issues medical practices are facing: payer downcoding and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence in reimbursement decisions. Discover why evaluation and management (E/M) claims are being reduced without medical record review, how automated systems are affecting your revenue, and what actions you can take to identify, track, and appeal unjustified downcodes. Whether you're feeling the impact already or want to stay ahead of the curve, this conversation offers practical tips and valuable resources to support your team.

Key Highlights

• 0:53 – Welcome & Topic Overview
  Daniel and Christy introduce the episode and the rising issue of AI-driven downcoding.
  1:53 – What is Payer Downcoding?
  Christy explains how downcoding works, what’s changed with AI, and why it goes against CMS guidelines.
  3:19 – How AI Flags Claims
  An inside look at how AI uses historical data to decide what gets downcoded — and why that’s problematic.
  4:05 – The Impact on Providers
  More than lost revenue — learn how this practice increases administrative burden, delays payments, and affects provider profiles.
  6:04 – Spotting the Red Flags
  Key signs your practice may be getting downcoded and what to look for on remittance advice.
  6:39 – What to Do If You’re Affected
  Steps to track, appeal, and escalate — and why reporting to MGMA and AMA matters.
  8:15 – Strengthening Your Documentation
  Avoid copy-paste notes and use specific language to reflect true complexity of care.
  11:23 – Using AI to Your Advantage
  How practices can deploy AI tools to clean up claims and reduce rejections — plus why human oversight is still key.
  12:53 – Advocacy and Policy Action
  How to get involved with MGMA’s Government Affairs team, the AMA, and your state’s insurance department.
  14:51 – Top Three Takeaways
  Christy recaps what every practice should remember: be vigilant, be proactive, be connected.

Direct Links and Resources

• 📧 Contact Ask MGMA: advisor@mgma.com
• 🧠 MGMA Consulting Services: consulting@mgma.com
• 💬 Join the MGMA Community Discussion
• 📢 Report Issues to MGMA Government Affairs: govaff@mgma.com

Additional Resources:

• MGMA Events
• MGMA Consulting
• MGMA DataDive
• MGMA Stat
• MGMA Podcasts

Podcast Sponsor Boost Lingo
This episode is brought to you by Boost Lingo, the language services platform behind MGMA Translate, interpreter delays and high agency fees, strain budgets, and staff morale. Boost lingo on demand fixes both tap once and a qualified medical interpreter joins in about 13 seconds. Video or phone on any device. No steep learning curve. It just works. Tap, connect, care. Choose from 14,000 interpreters covering over 300 languages. Fully HIPAA compliant. Your staff will love the ease and your patients will too. Plus MGMA members save 20%. Visit https://boostlingo.com/mgma/ to see it in action today.

Podcast Sponsor MGMA Analytics
Are you making decisions based on gut instinct—or on real data?
With MGMA Analytics, you get the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to drive smarter strategies.
From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics gives you access to the most trusted data in the industry.
So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, make your next move with confidence.
Visit MGMA Analytics to learn more.