Tara Erkinger, Mba, Pmp Email & Phone Number

United States

Healthcare Revenue Cycle Consulting

United States

Provide interim executive level management services, project management, revenue cycle assessments, operational workflow redesign and strategy assessments, auditing services, vendor analysis, and Epic revenue cycle implementation support.

Reading, Pennsylvania

Managed all aspects of claims and cash posting for Tower Health, Tower Health Medical Group, and Tower Health Urgent Care. Tower Health has a reported yearly revenue of $1.96 Billion and the medical group reported a yearly revenue of $110M.•Managed team of over 50 staff and all aspects of claims and cash posting for Tower Health, Tower Health Medical Group, and Tower Health Urgent Care•Strategized and implemented innovative workflows with the support of EPIC and the IT applications team to improve financial outcomes, workflow efficiencies, and meet industry best practice standards•Led EPIC Cash Management implementation and staff restructuring; successfully implemented new PNC lockboxes and spearheaded implementation of direct and manufactured 835’s to recognize full EPIC Cash Management integration•Extensive experience using Slicer Dicer to create financial reports and identify specific patient populations•Key member of the denials steering committee focused on preventing initial denials

United States

Implemented Optum360 Revenue Cycle Solution products for healthcare facilities located nationwide.•Managed entire project lifecycle of high complexity, high dollar, and large-scale projects, on time and on budget using Agile methodology•Extensive experience creating project status reports, creating project artifacts, as well as documenting, mitigating, and escalating risks

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Area

Planned, organized, developed, and directed all aspects of the EPIC Ambulatory informatics environment for UPMC Pinnacle Health System and Community Connect practices for Epic Ambulatory, Beacon, Link, Care Everywhere, MyChart, and ASAP.•Successfully managed team of 30 direct report professionals in direct and hybrid-virtual environments•Project Manager over new practice acquisitions and Epic Community Connect projects•Accountable for operational and capital IT budgets, forecasting, and variance justification•Integral part of the recruitment process; interviewed, hired, and onboarded new staff

Reading, Pennsylvania Area

Manage operational efficiency and proactively oversee 30 direct report professionals and 40 contracted onsite/remote consultants. Manage EPIC revenue cycle applications: Access,(Grand Central, Prelude, ADT) PB, HB, PB/HB Claims, and HIM. Manage third party revenue cycle applications including but not limited to OnBase, Esker, 3M, Optum 360, Craneware, and M*Modal. Manage systems acquired during CHS 5 Hospital acquisition MedHost AS400, Cerner, Boston Workstation and many other third party bolt on Revenue Cycle applications. Experience with implementing “lift and shift” methodology, taking the current 5 acquired facilities off of their current MedHost/Cerner platform and onto the current Reading EPIC instance. Responsible for operational and capital IT budgets, forecasting, and variance justification. Manage resource and capacity planning for projects. Instrumental member of the Information Technology leadership team. Founder and Editor of the IT Newsletter, communicating IT initiatives and updates to Tower Health Organization.Transformational leader focused on building teams, mentoring staff, and completing staff performance evaluations; focused on providing staff opportunities to grow professionally and showcase strengthsEnergetic, trusted, and results-oriented Project Manager, adept in project management and strategic planning with outstanding administrative and conflict management skills•Effectively managed overall project lifecycle including RFI process, vendor selection, project scoping, resource staffing, project planning, managing the project budget, developing/execution of the project plan, risk assessments and mitigation

Reading, Pennsylvania Area

Manage the Epic Training team principle trainers for both clinical and non clinical applications.Instrumental member of the Information Technology leadership teamSuccessfully implemented standardized training schedule for both clinical and non-clinical areas.

Reading, Pennsylvania Area

As a member of the Project Management Office (PMO) at Reading Health System, I manage complex healthcare IT projects that strategically align with the healthcare organizations overall strategies and goals. I am responsible for managing the overall project lifecycle including assisting with RFI's and vendor selection, performing project scoping and intake procedures, resource staffing, project planning, managing the project budget, developing and managing the project plan, executing the project plan, performing risk assessments and mitigation, and ensuring the projects close on schedule and within budget.Project Manager over construction of Surgical Tower and assisted with low voltage project meetings. Tested Nurse CallAssisted the organization with creating standardization throughout the PMO to ensure collaboration throughout the organization.

Extensive experience implementing and supporting the MEDITECH Electronic Health Record (EHR) Revenue Cycle suites of modules. Proven track record of engaging physicians, clinicians, and administrative staff in the use of the MEDITECH software. Worked in a variety of roles including project manager, peer guide, training manager, and business development analyst. Performed design process and system improvement initiatives. Drove integrated online, traditional, and social media campaigns while working with Business Development. Strong member of a team, as well as an effective independent worker with demonstrated follow-up skills and attention to detail. Create, review, and finalize client proposals, consultant and contractor work orders and extensions. Attend weekly business development meetings. Lead numerous initiatives where I worked with key hospital decision makers to discuss potential engagements. Attended the International MUSE conference and networked with MEDITECH users and vendors. Assist organizations in properly and effiecently implementing the MEDITECH EHR software including evaluating and assessing current workflows and making best practice recommendations.Experience as a core team member, core team leader, subject matter expert, and project manager. I have extensive experience in the ADM, ABS, SCH, CWS, BAR, PBR, PWM, RXM, AOM, and MIS modules and with managing staff remotely and on-site.I have worked in the Magic platform, Client Server 5.63, 5.64, 5.65 and Version 6.0 pp4 and pp5, 6.07, and 6.1. I have also been invovled in multiple Magic to 6.0 Migrations.I have experience with 5010 837 claims and 835 remittance building, testing, and implementation in the Magic, Client Server 5.64, 5.65, 6.0 and 6.1 Platforms.

Physican Practices

Maintained the hospital IT software system, including new functionality, software updates, and other applicable interfaces. Built and Sustained dictionaries, trained users, and performed help desk support for over twenty-five physician practices. Successfully created training documentation and trained over one hundred and fifty end users. Proven track record of engaging outside software vendors and maintaining interfaces. My main function is to maintain the CWS and PBR module for our Meditech/LSS system; this includes new functionality, software updates, and other applicable interfaces. I am also responsible for maintaining dictionaries, training new users, and resolving any issues affecting the CWS or PBR modules. I successfully created training documentation and trained over 150 end users on the system including nurses, managers, and physicians. I have worked closely with GatewayEDI electroinc claims vendor.

I am an active member on the MEDITECH LSS Core Team, building dictionaries and training end users. I also perform daily A/R and collections procedures for Welsh Mountain Medical and Dental Center an FQHC and Ephrata Community Hospital Behavioral Health Outpatient, and multiple Hospital payers including but not limited to Blue Cross, Medicaid, and Workers Compensation.

Managed three-six employees within the Radiology scheduling department. Provided training to all employees, ordered supplies, and performed scheduling and management duties.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Project Management, 4.0

Concentration in Project Management

Bachelors Of Science, Business / Administration

Management courses Statistics / Business Ethics

Associate Of Arts, Accounting

Management Skills and Advanced Management courses