NIATx-SI: Business Practices for the Future Learning Collaborative

Cohort 1 - Project Description

The NIATx SI-Systems Implementation program will consist of five conveners (i.e. state addiction authorities, provider associations, counties, cities, or health systems) who can recruit and support six to ten treatment providers to implement and/or improve third-party billing practices.

The project will offer training on how to initiate third-party contracting and the core components of implementing third-party billing systems.

The project provides technical assistance in areas such as billing system design, improved collections performance and becoming a preferred provider in a network.

The learning collaborative begins in October 2010 and will conclude by July 2011.

Technical Assistance

States, counties, provider associations, health systems, or intermediaries will be able to apply to participate in the collaborative. All applicants must apply with six to ten not-for-profit, community-based providers needing to implement and /or improve third-party billing systems.

Two representatives from each project will attend a kick-off event in October 2010 to launch the learning collaborative. Each of projects will learn skills to develop a business practice dissemination plan. The following technical assistance from NIATx SI will support each plan:

• A one-day site implementation visit within each project’s locality. Providers will learn system design and change strategies and develop their organization-specific “Business Practice Implementation Plan.” NIATx will provide the faculty. (As part of the application, the convener will be responsible for the space and other costs associated with the site implementation visit.)
• Monthly calls will focus on setting up a billing system, improving a billing system, managing accounts receivable, and working with Medicaid and other insurance providers. NIATx will provide content experts for these calls.
• Each project will have access to 12 days of coaching support. Coaching may involve site implementation visits, monthly review of each provider’s progress, and will be specific to the project's needs.
• A one-day gathering in June 2011 within each project's locality will serve as a closeout and summation event for the collaborative. NIATx will provide the faculty. (The convener will be responsible for the space and other costs associated with the event.)
• Two providers from each convener will report their results at the NIATx Summit meeting in July 2011.

Projected Outcomes

• Coaching, site visits, and monthly calls that will providers develop a billing system.
• Coaching, site visits, and monthly calls that will providers develop a billing system.