AI and Outsourcing Drive New Efficiencies in Revenue Cycle Management
As healthcare delivery grows more complex, so too does revenue cycle management (RCM) — the backbone of financial stability for medical practices. With skilled billing staff increasingly hard to find, many organizations are turning to outsourcing partners and AI-driven automation to improve efficiency and accuracy across their revenue cycles.
For the Orlando Heart and Vascular Institute, a six-provider independent practice with 40 employees, that shift has delivered measurable results. The clinic partnered with eClinicalWorks (eCW) to manage its RCM operations earlier this year and has since seen a 30% increase in reimbursements and payments arriving 21 days faster on average.
“Outsourcing to eClinicalWorks has made a clear impact on both our cash flow and our ability to stay independent,” said Heather Boone, Clinical Supervisor at Orlando Heart and Vascular Institute. “It’s not just about outsourcing—it’s about gaining the expertise and tools that a specialized RCM team can bring.”
Blending Expertise with Automation
A key advantage of eCW’s RCM services lies in the combination of dedicated billing specialists and AI-powered automation. The company’s team manages RCM for hundreds of practices, enabling them to apply insights and best practices learned across diverse clinical settings.
Routine billing tasks are completed the same day a patient is seen, significantly accelerating revenue cycles. Meanwhile, the AI engine continuously reviews claims before submission, flagging potential errors or coding inconsistencies to reduce denials. In some cases, the system can even recommend a downcode when historical insurer data suggests higher codes are likely to be rejected — helping providers avoid unnecessary resubmissions and delays.
Sustaining Independence Through Smarter RCM
For smaller and independent practices, maintaining control over finances while competing with large health systems remains a challenge. Improved RCM performance has allowed Orlando Heart and Vascular Institute not only to sustain independence but also to expand services — including the recent acquisition of a CT scanner to bring diagnostic imaging in-house.
Boone notes that such growth would have been difficult without the operational and financial stability gained through optimized RCM. “By improving our revenue cycle, we’ve been able to reinvest in our practice and grow in ways that benefit both our patients and staff,” she said.
As more practices face rising administrative demands and tighter margins, the integration of AI and specialized RCM partnerships is emerging as a critical strategy for operational resilience — enabling providers to focus on care delivery while technology and expertise handle the financial complexity behind it.
