VA, as applied to healthcare revenue processes in recent workshops, has several differences from typical revenue analyses performed by most consulting firms. First and foremost, VA is a facilitated team-based approach that utilizes current manager-level hospital staff members as key participants. The hospital team members are supplemented with a few outside consultants in order to gain their expertise on potential solutions. Oftentimes, revenue cycle analyses are performed by a team of outside consultants that reviews data and recommends changes. However, participation by current staff members is the key ingredient to understanding the existing procedures being performed in each area of the revenue cycle.
Another aspect that differentiates VA from other methodologies is its focus on a functional analysis of the current processes. Breaking down current processes into their basic functions allows the team to more easily identify alternative activities which will provide the same function with greater efficiency and eliminate unnecessary costs or effort. Function-based process flowcharts which are used during the Orientation Sessions to confirm the basic functions contained within the revenue cycle. Most other approaches hone in on specific activities, which has been shown to restrict the generation of creative ideas for process improvement.
For an extended discussion of what differentiates VA from other evaluation techniques refer to the white paper that can be downloaded to the right of this webpage.
