Healthcare Intelligence

How much time does your revenue cycle team spend checking the same reports, fixing small mistakes, and tracking down problems that could have been caught earlier?At Talley Eye Institute, CFO Bill James and his team have spent seven years building automated checks that run every night, flagging issues across billing, scheduling, drug reimbursements, and accounts receivable.What started with a few lines of code has grown into thousands of lines of automated checks, helping staff catch mistakes before they become larger problems.In this episode, Charlene Wang and Bill discuss how the team built these workflows, how frontline employees help identify opportunities for automation, and why starting with one small problem can lead to meaningful operational improvements.They also explore how faster identification of patient balance issues has helped reduce aging patient A/R.For finance and revenue cycle leaders looking to improve efficiency without simply adding more staff, this episode offers practical lessons from a CFO who has built these systems firsthand.Bill James is the Chief Financial Officer at Talley Eye Institute in Evansville, Indiana, with more than 28 years of experience in physician practice management, including thirteen years in ophthalmology. Practices under his management have been recognized by MGMA as Better Performers in profitability, cost management, and patient satisfaction. His work focuses on using data, automation, and AI to improve practice operations, strengthen revenue cycle performance, and help staff spend more time on work that requires their expertise. He has helped develop custom reporting and workflow tools that translate everyday operational challenges into practical solutions. Bill holds an MHA from the University of Kentucky and is a member of MGMA and ASOA.

Healthcare organizations are investing in AI, but where is it actually making a difference?In this episode of the Healthcare Intelligence Podcast, Charlene Wang talks with Blair Primis, Chief Growth Officer at OrthoCarolina, about how his team is using AI to understand patient demand, improve marketing performance, and make smarter growth decisions.Blair shares where AI is already delivering value and why his team is taking a more careful approach to AI-powered scheduling.The conversation covers:- How AI analyzes patient calls to identify missed appointments and booking opportunities- Using predictive analytics to decide where to expand and invest- Why OrthoCarolina hasn't rolled out AI voice scheduling yet- The opportunity to test AI scheduling after hours before expanding it- How to balance patient experience, adoption, and business ROIRather than adopting AI everywhere, Blair explains why understanding the problem and measuring results should come first.A practical conversation for healthcare executives deciding where AI belongs in their operations and where human interaction still matters.Blair Primis is a highly seasoned growth executive, with an extensive background in marketing and experience creation. With over 25 years of experience in strategic marketing communications, creative direction, and social networking, he specializes in driving demand, growth, and establishing best-in-class experience solutions.Key Roles and ExperienceHe has held significant leadership roles, primarily in the healthcare and marketing sectors, demonstrating expertise in combining marketing functions with patient/user experience:●Chief Growth Officer at OrthoCarolina (February 2025 – Present). This role focuses on developing strategies to attract and retain patients and enhance the overall experience.●Manager Partner at Primtos (July 2024 – Present), transforming ideas into "game-changing realities".●Chief Marketing Officer at Flagship Specialty Partners (June 2023 – August 2024).●Vice President of Marketing, Communications, Creative and Events at SCA Health (January 2022 – June 2023).●Held multiple roles at OrthoCarolina for over 12 years, including Senior Vice President, Marketing & Talent Management (July 2009 – January 2022).Skills, Teaching, and Boards●Top Skills include User Experience Design (UED), Growth, Marketing and Organizational Consulting.●Keynote speaker, teacher, and mentor on topics including growth creation, effective marketing disruption, leadership, and change management.●Extensive Board of Directors/Advisors experience, primarily in the Charlotte area, with organizations such as the 7th Street Public Market, Carolina Farm Trust, Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center, and the OrthoCarolina Foundation.●Publications include "How To Build The Right Marketing Team In 2024 And Beyond" and "How Healthcare MSO Leaders Can Leverage Marketing and Communications".●Education includes a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University.

What does it take to move AI from a small test into daily operations? Charlene Wang talks with Dr. Scott LaBorwit, former Chief Medical Officer of Vision Innovation Partners, about starting with a simple workflow, measuring the patient experience, and expanding only after the team saw results. They discuss how AI is being used across patient calls, scheduling, and revenue cycle work, and what healthcare leaders should measure before scaling it.Scott LaBorwit, MD is the former chief medical officer of Vision Innovation Partners and president and founder of Select Eye Care. A board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery, Dr. LaBorwit completed his residency at the Krieger Eye Institute and a glaucoma fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He also serves as associate professor of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He has engaged in the Artificial intelligence healthcare Space as an angel investor in Ufonia and a startup called CoDoc AI.

Strong payer negotiations are not only about asking for higher rates. The best results come from understanding what matters to both sides and finding areas where their goals meet.Tom Golias, SVP of Health Plan Relations at AMSURG, joins Charlene Wang to share lessons from his experience on both the payer and provider sides. They discuss how healthcare leaders can use data, quality, patient satisfaction, and value-based care to strengthen their position at the negotiating table.They also cover why scale alone does not guarantee leverage, how regular payer communication can prevent costly problems, and what separates a true payer relationship from a simple contract exchange.For healthcare executives leading finance, revenue cycle, managed care, or payer strategy, this conversation offers a practical look at building contracts that work for both sides.Thomas Golias is Senior Vice President of Health Plan Relations at AMSURG, one of the nation’s leading ambulatory surgery center platforms. A visionary and results-driven senior healthcare executive, he brings more than three decades of experience in complex contract negotiations, total medical cost management, and value-based performance programs.Thomas has built his career on both sides of the payer-provider table, a dual perspective that shapes how he approaches network strategy, acquisition integration, and long-term partnership alignment. He is known for tackling complex challenges in matrix organizations with a direct, no-nonsense style and a focus on operational excellence.Based in the greater Indianapolis area, Thomas holds a Master’s degree from Rush University and is a regular voice at national ASC and healthcare investment conferences.

AI can help healthcare organizations find problems faster, but technology alone cannot fix weak processes, unclear ownership, or disconnected teams.Steven Shore, RCM Operating Partner, Shore Healthcare Consulting, joins the Healthcare Intelligence Podcast to discuss what healthcare organizations need in place before introducing AI into revenue cycle operations.In this episode, Steven explores:Why AI acts as an accelerator, not a cure-allHow weak processes can limit the value of new technologyThe importance of ownership, accountability, and quality checksWhy RCM performance reflects the entire healthcare operationHow to turn data and AI insights into day-to-day actionWhich KPIs leaders should measure consistentlyA grounded discussion for healthcare executives evaluating AI, automation, and new revenue cycle technology, and looking for measurable financial results.Steve Shore is a healthcare executive, operating partner, and advisor specializing in revenue cycle performance, cash flow optimization, and operational execution across multi-site healthcare organizations. He partners with private equity sponsors, transaction advisors, and management teams to improve cash conversion, strengthen operating discipline, and drive value creation throughout the investment lifecycle.His experience spans operational diligence, post-acquisition integration, organizational transformation, and the development of scalable, KPI-driven operating models that enhance financial performance and enterprise value. Steve believes sustainable enterprise value is created when disciplined execution consistently translates into predictable cash flow. His work focuses on helping healthcare organizations build the accountability and operating discipline necessary to achieve that outcome.Steve earned his Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Fox School of Business at Temple University and a Bachelor of Science in Health Planning & Administration from The Pennsylvania State University.