Healthcare Intelligence

About Healthcare Intelligence

Healthcare Intelligence by Ember is a podcast for healthcare finance leaders who want to stay ahead of change. Each episode features candid conversations with industry experts on topics like revenue cycle management, compliance, revenue integrity, and how AI is reshaping healthcare finance. Tune in for strategic insights, practical advice, and the intelligence you need to lead with confidence.

Publisher

Ember AI

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Nov 2025

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   From 1,000 to 10,000 Calls: How a Physician Group Scaled AI

   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.

2. 

   14 Sept 2026

   How to Build a Stronger Payer Negotiation Strategy

   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.

3. 

   1 Sept 2026

   AI Won’t Fix a Broken Revenue Cycle: What Healthcare Leaders Need First

   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-all How weak processes can limit the value of new technology The importance of ownership, accountability, and quality checks Why RCM performance reflects the entire healthcare operation How to turn data and AI insights into day-to-day action Which KPIs leaders should measure consistently A 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.

4. 

   18 Aug 2026

   ASC Economics: What Healthcare Leaders Get Wrong About Reimbursement

   As more procedures migrate from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers, the economics are becoming more complex, not less. Mark Wainner, Sr. Director of ASC Acquisition and Development at Community Health Systems, joins the Healthcare Intelligence Podcast to unpack how ASC reimbursement, payer contracting, and health system partnerships are evolving. Mark explains why comparing commercial contracts can be so difficult, how implant reimbursement and multi-procedure payment rules change the economics of a case, and why Medicare can still serve as a useful benchmark when evaluating payer rates. The conversation also explores: • Why hospital-ASC partnerships are no longer simply a “rate lift” strategy • How to evaluate reimbursement at the case level, not just the CPT level • The challenges of benchmarking commercial payer contracts • How implant costs and reimbursement affect ASC margins • Why physician alignment remains critical to ASC performance • What healthcare leaders should expect as more procedures move outpatient For CFOs, revenue cycle leaders, ASC executives, and health system operators, this conversation offers a practical look at the financial forces shaping the next phase of outpatient care. Guest: Mark Wainner, Sr. Director, ASC Acquisition and Development, Community Health Systems Mark is a healthcare industry veteran with over 30 years of healthcare experience. In his current role with Community Health Systems (CHS), Mark is responsible for growing CHS’s Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) division through ASC acquisition and De Novo projects. Prior to joining CHS, Mark was responsible for developing the SurgeryPlus network with Employer Direct Health. Mark spent 23 years contributing to the growth of AMSURG in the surgery center industry. His primary focus was strategies to drive top-line growth and operational efficiencies that deliver greater profitability. Mark most recently served as the President of Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) and is currently the Immediate Past President. Mark has an extensive professional network cultivated through affiliations with the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association ASCA, Nashville Healthcare Council, and Leadership Healthcare (LHC). Mark has a Bachelor of Science (BS), Finance, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Mark enjoys boating, wake surfing, being outdoors, attending sporting events, and spending time with his family during his free time.

5. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Why AI Won't Fix Healthcare Until We Fix Value-Based Care

   Healthcare organizations are investing heavily in AI, but are they solving the right problems? In this episode of the Healthcare Intelligence Podcast, former payer executive and McKinsey Senior Advisor Myong Lee shares what healthcare executives need to understand about value-based care, payer-provider alignment, AI, and the future of revenue cycle management. Topics include: Why most physicians still don't fully understand value-based care The biggest mistake providers make when preparing for risk contracts Why data infrastructure—not AI—is the biggest bottleneck How payers are approaching AI in claims, coding, and compliance Why CMS changes will increase audits and documentation requirements Practical advice for provider organizations navigating financial risk Whether you're leading Finance, Revenue Cycle, Managed Care, or Strategy, this conversation offers a realistic look at where healthcare is heading—and what organizations should prioritize over the next year. Guest: Myong Lee Myong Lee is a managed care executive with over 19 years of experience building, scaling, and operating health plans, MSOs, and value-based care organizations, with a track record of leading companies to hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. He was most recently CEO of Advanced Medical Management/Seoul Medical Group, a full-risk Medicare Advantage IPA. He previously co-founded Clever Care Health Plan, a minority-focused Medicare Advantage health plan, raising $220mm in capital, scaling the business from 550 to over 28,000 members and from $14M to $350M+ in revenue. He currently serves as Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company, supporting Fortune 500 healthcare clients on strategy, operations, and M&A diligence. His earlier executive roles include VP Payer Contracting at Agilon Health, VP Special Projects and Interim COO at Clover Health, and CFO/COO of Inspira LIFE, where he built health plans and payer contracts at the founding and growth stage. Myong holds an MBA from Arizona State University, a BA in Business Administration and Economics from Franklin & Marshall College, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

6. 

   29 Jul 2026

   The AI Strategy Every Healthcare Executive Should Be Thinking About

   In this episode, Sap Sinha shares how Allied Digestive Health grew through rapid change by combining operational discipline, physician leadership, and thoughtful use of AI. Charlene and Sap discuss: Building an MSO during and after COVID Improving eligibility, prior authorization, and front-end operations Winning physician buy-in for new technology Why healthcare organizations should redesign workflows before adding AI The balance between automation and human expertise How to prioritize AI projects that actually move the needle If you're leading operations, revenue cycle, finance, or digital transformation, this episode is full of practical lessons from someone who has done it at scale. Sap Sinha is a healthcare executive and strategist who has spent over two decades building high-growth organizations at the intersection of technology and clinical operations. Most recently, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Allied Digestive Health, one of the largest independent gastroenterology networks in the United States. Over his tenure, Sap helped scale ADH fourfold, growing the organization to more than 200 physicians and 85 clinical offices across New York and New Jersey. He led the re-engineering of the company’s core infrastructure, introducing revenue cycle automation, AI-driven patient outreach, and a modular middleware technology stack that has become a model for how specialty practices can modernize without getting trapped by legacy point solutions. Prior to ADH, Sap was a Regional Vice President at SCA Health, part of Optum, where he managed a large network of ambulatory surgery centers. His foundational training in value creation and strategic scaling came from twelve years in management consulting, including roles as a Senior Principal and Partner at Boston Consulting Group and an early career start at Ernst & Young. He currently serves as CEO of Tandem-Allied Clinical Research and advises private equity and venture capital firms as an operating partner and strategic advisor, with a focus on healthcare services and clinical research platforms. Sap holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Economics, an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, and a Master of Health Care Innovation from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a frequent speaker on the “human-AI hybrid” organization, a vocal advocate for colorectal cancer screening, and a firm believer that in the digital transformation of medicine, people drive change, not technology alone.

7. 

   16 Jul 2026

   The ASC Growth Playbook: Finance, Operations and Physician Alignment

   More procedures are moving from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers, but growth alone does not guarantee strong financial performance. Terry Bohlke, longtime ASC executive and past president of ASCA, shares what healthcare leaders need to understand about building, operating, and growing a successful surgery center. Drawing on decades of experience across finance, operations, development, and acquisitions, Terry explains why details matter so much in the ASC model. The conversation covers the economics of ASC growth, rising development costs, specialty expansion, cash flow, technology gaps, and the challenge of getting physician owners fully committed to the center. For C-suite, finance, operations, and RCM leaders looking to better understand where the ASC market is going, and what separates an average center from a high-performing one. Terry Bohlke is a nationally recognized ambulatory surgery center executive with more than 20 years of multi-site, multi-state ASC leadership experience across 23 states. He has led ASC strategy, operations, development, acquisitions, finance, quality, and physician alignment for major healthcare organizations, including Community Health Systems, National Surgical Healthcare, and Nueterra. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Ambulatory Surgery Centers for Community Health Systems, where he established and led the national ASC strategy for 51 ASC partnerships. His work has focused on building high-performing outpatient surgery platforms through quality-centered operations, strong physician partnerships, market growth, disciplined financial management, and clinical integration with health systems. A former healthcare CFO and CPA, Terry brings a distinctive blend of strategic, operational, and financial expertise to the ASC sector. He has also served in national and state ASC industry leadership roles, including President and member of the Board of Directors for ASCA, the national ASC association, and CASA, the California ASC Association. In addition to his healthcare leadership, he served as Commander and Executive Officer of the Navy’s Center for Naval Leadership Southwest, bringing a deep commitment to leadership development, team culture, and mission-focused execution. He has spoken and written extensively on ASC growth, financial performance, physician partnerships, and leadership, and joins Healthcare Intelligence to discuss the evolving role of ambulatory surgery centers in the future of healthcare delivery.

8. 

   10 Jul 2026

   The Future of Healthcare Isn't AI, It's Fixing the System

   AI is moving fast, but healthcare's biggest challenge isn't building smarter models. It's fixing the systems that still don't work together. In this episode, Charlene Wang sits down with Dr. Neil Hockstein, Chair of the Delaware Health Care Commission and practicing ENT surgeon, to discuss what healthcare leaders should really focus on over the next decade. You'll hear perspectives on: - Why interoperability is still healthcare's biggest bottleneck - What digital prior authorization should actually look like - Where AI can help, and where it can't - Why better infrastructure matters more than more technology If you work in healthcare leadership, health IT, policy, or digital health, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. Neil Hockstein, M.D. is an otolaryngologist specializing in head and neck surgery and currently serves as Chair of the Delaware Health Care Commission. He holds faculty appointments and leadership positions at ChristianaCare, Thomas Jefferson University, and The Wistar Institute. An active head and neck surgeon, Hockstein founded and expanded a multi-state ENT practice, growing it into one of the nation's largest independent otolaryngology groups. He played a pioneering role in the development of transoral robotic surgery and has published and presented widely on surgical innovation and cancer treatment. His clinical and research interests include minimally invasive surgery for head and neck cancer, improving care delivery through independent practice models, and advancing physician workforce policy. Hockstein is a nationally recognized leader in otolaryngology, frequently presenting at national conferences on practice management, physician workforce, and health policy. He has also served as a mentor to medical students, residents, and fellows, many of whom have gone on to leadership positions in academic medicine and private practice. In addition to his clinical and academic contributions, Hockstein has been deeply engaged in public service and policy development in Delaware. As Chair of the Delaware Health Care Commission and leader of the Delaware Primary Care Reform Collaborative, he has worked to advance access to care, reduce costs, improve quality, and strengthen the health care workforce. He also chairs the Delaware State Employee Benefit Committee overseeing the deliver of health and pharmacy benefits for 135,000 state employees, dependents, and retirees. He serves on multiple state-level task forces focused on transparency, cost reduction, and medical education, including the effort to establish a Delaware medical school.

9. 

   6 Jul 2026

   Revenue Cycle Is Your Capital Strategy: Cash, ASCs & AI

   Former HSS CFO Stacey Malakoff joins the Healthcare Intelligence Podcast to break down why revenue cycle isn't a back-office function — it's the connective tissue between patients, physicians, operations, and payers. Stacey shares the daily cash metrics she tracked as CFO, why "pay us what we deserve, not a penny more or less" was her guiding rule, and how the shift to ASCs is reshaping surgical economics. A must-watch for ASC leaders navigating physician joint ventures, case selection, and the AI-driven future of revenue cycle. Topics covered: physician alignment without "billing clerk" resentment, site-of-care shift economics, ASC joint ventures and ownership incentives, the catches nobody talks about in ASC growth, and how AI will close the specialty-hospital knowledge gap. Stacey Malakoff is a healthcare board director and advisor, working with healthcare companies, private equity-backed organizations, and emerging healthcare platforms on growth, governance, revenue cycle, ambulatory strategy, and value creation. She brings more than 35 years of leadership experience from Hospital for Special Surgery, including 26 years as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and later as Chief Administrative Officer. At HSS, Stacey helped lead the organization through significant financial growth, strategic expansion, physician alignment, payer strategy, ASC and site-of-care development, supply chain oversight, capital planning, debt financing, enterprise risk management, and sustained national leadership in orthopedics. Stacey believes revenue cycle is not simply billing and collections. It is an end-to-end operating discipline that connects patient access, documentation, coding, payer strategy, payment, cash flow, and long-term financial sustainability.

10. 

    25 Jun 2026

    From Roll-Ups to Real Value: How AI Is Changing the Future of Dental DSOs

    Private equity in dentistry has changed dramatically over the past decade. Simply buying more practices is no longer enough. In this episode of Healthcare Intelligence, Charlene sits down with David Eslinger, DDS, MBA, Founder of Practice Worth, to discuss what today's dental leaders need to know about scaling practices, creating operational value, and preparing for the next generation of AI. They discuss: Why the old DSO consolidation playbook no longer works The operational changes PE-backed groups are making today AI's growing role in revenue cycle management and dental diagnostics Why technology adoption is becoming a competitive advantage Common mistakes dentists make when valuing their practices How Practice Worth helps owners better understand their business value Whether you're a dentist, DSO executive, investor, or healthcare operator, this episode offers practical insights into where the industry is headed. Check out Practice Worth: https://www.getpracticeworth.com/podcast (https://www.getpracticeworth.com/podcast)

11. 

    16 Jun 2026

    The AI Arms Race in Healthcare: How Orthopedic Groups Are Fighting Back

    AI is changing healthcare faster than ever, but are providers keeping up? In this episode of Healthcare Intelligence, Charlene Wang sits down with John Reynolds, CEO of the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, to discuss how healthcare organizations can successfully adopt AI across scheduling, operations, prior authorization, revenue cycle, and patient access. John shares lessons from more than 30 years in healthcare leadership, including: - Why most technology projects fail - How to get physicians and staff to embrace AI - The growing "AI arms race" between providers and payers - Using AI to improve prior authorization and reduce denials - What healthcare leaders should focus on before buying new technology If you're leading a physician group, health system, ASC, or revenue cycle team, this conversation offers practical insights on navigating healthcare's next transformation.

12. 

    8 Jun 2026

    How High-Performing Physician Groups Scale Without Breaking Operations | Healthcare Intelligence

    What separates high-performing physician groups from organizations that struggle to scale? In this episode of Healthcare Intelligence, Charlene Wang sits down with Doug Hemminger, Principal at H. Douglas Advisory and former healthcare operations executive for PE-backed and physician-owned specialty groups. They discuss: - The reality of healthcare operations transformation - Why technology projects fail - Common bottlenecks in multi-site physician groups - Prior authorization and patient access challenges - Building scalable training programs - How operational leaders create lasting change Whether you lead a physician group, MSO, health system, or specialty practice, this conversation offers practical lessons from decades of healthcare operations experience. About Doug Hemminger: Doug Hemminger (hem-men-jer) is a healthcare operations executive with deep experience leading physician-owned and PE-backed multi-site physician groups and MSOs. His career spans orthopedics, women’s health, and multi-specialty practices through multiple private equity cycles. A background in clinical operations across a variety of environments informs his approach to leadership and his belief in the value of partnership over prescription. He founded H. Douglas Advisory, LLC to bring that experience directly to organizations navigating complexity, including growing specialty groups, PE-affiliated platforms, and healthcare staffing and technology companies that could benefit from a seasoned operational perspective without the overhead of a full-time hire. Doug is based in Madrid, Spain, and focused exclusively on US engagements.

13. 

    22 May 2026

    The Hidden Healthcare Role That Prevents Fraud, Denials, and Patient Harm | Healthcare Intelligence

    Most people never think about credentialing. But according to Nyleen Flores, it may be one of the most important functions in healthcare. In this episode of Ember Healthcare Intelligence, we talk about: What credentialing actually means How provider enrollment impacts reimbursement Why payer setup errors create claim denials The reality behind healthcare fraud investigations Why many healthcare organizations still rely on spreadsheets What healthcare leaders should audit immediately Nyleen shares real examples from hospitals, surgery centers, and provider groups that reveal how operational gaps can quietly create compliance and revenue problems. A must-watch conversation for healthcare executives, RCM leaders, administrators, and operators. #HealthcareAI #HealthcareLeadership #Credentialing #Denials #MedicalPractice #RevenueIntegrity #HealthcareCompliance

14. 

    6 May 2026

    Why Healthcare Leaders Must Rethink Revenue, AI, and Operations | Healthcare Intelligence

    In this episode of the Healthcare Intelligence Podcast, Ember CEO Charlene Wang sits down with Dr. Kevin Stevenson, FACHE, President/CEO of Stevenson Transformative Healthcare. They discuss the biggest operational and financial challenges facing healthcare organizations today, including AI adoption, revenue cycle pressures, staffing, provider burnout, and the future of healthcare leadership. Topics include: Why healthcare systems struggle with transformation The growing role of AI in healthcare operations Revenue cycle challenges and financial pressure Leadership lessons for healthcare executives What healthcare organizations need to prioritize next If you work in healthcare operations, revenue cycle, health systems, or digital health, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world perspective. Subscribe for more conversations with healthcare leaders shaping the future of the industry. #Healthcare #AIinHealthcare #RevenueCycle #RCM #HealthcareLeadership

15. 

    24 Feb 2026

    Prior Auth, Denials, and Payer Relations: Anthony Grove’s Playbook for Getting Claims Paid

    Anthony Grove (VP, Revenue Cycle, LucidHealth) shares practical lessons from decades in healthcare reimbursement, spanning hospital and professional billing. We cover what makes radiology revenue cycle unique (modifiers, technical vs professional components, authorization dependency), how to train teams to write stronger medical-necessity narratives, and how to build an appeal “letter series” that improves overturn rates. Anthony also breaks down how to categorize denials, track appeals over time, and use payer relations to reduce repeat work, plus why payment integrity must include both underpayments and overpayments. Healthcare in the United States: Helping People Understand the Financial Side of Healthcare (https://www.amazon.com/Healthcare-United-States-Understand-Financial/dp/B0DZZZ9ZQ3) by Anthony Grove

16. 

    2 Feb 2026

    Upstream Decisions Drive RCM Costs | Stephen Mitchley, Vitality Group | Healthcare Intelligence

    In this episode of the Healthcare Intelligence Podcast, Ember CEO Charlene Wang sits down with Stephen Mitchley (Chief Strategy Officer, The Vitality Group) to talk about a simple idea most revenue cycle teams feel every day: upstream decisions create downstream cost. They cover why “heroic” fire drills don’t scale, how to build feedback loops that actually improve the front end of healthcare, and why the best RCM gains come from getting inputs right instead of living in denials and follow-ups. If you’re trying to boost first-pass rates and net collections, this one is a practical mindset shift: quality at the start beats cleanup at the end.

17. 

    3 Dec 2025

    Balancing AI and Empathy in Healthcare: Lessons from Bon Secours Mercy Health

    AI is transforming healthcare, but how do we make sure it enhances, not replaces, human connection? In this candid conversation, Charlene Wang sits down with Cyril Philip, VP of Digital Adventure at Bon Secours Mercy Health, to discuss how AI-driven scheduling, automation, and patient engagement can coexist with compassionate care. Key insights: The future of patient access and scheduling The role of Epic and third-party innovation Why stakeholder alignment is key to adoption How “human in the loop” keeps healthcare personal Cyril Phillip is the Vice President of Digital Ventures at Bon Secours Mercy Health. As part of the Accrete Health Partners, the digital transformation engine for BSMH, Cyril looks to identify novel healthcare technology companies that can contribute to the health system’s mission and partners with select companies through investment and co-development. Cyril has over a decade of experience in the not-for-profit hospital sector, and started his career in the Investment Banking and Private Equity realm.

18. 

    12 Nov 2025

    Ophthalmology and the Future of Healthcare Operations with AI | Alvin Liu (Johns Hopkins)

    What does real-world AI adoption look like in a major health system? Johns Hopkins’ Dr. Alvin Liu shares firsthand insights on clinical automation, AI governance, and the realities of implementing GenAI tools in ophthalmology and beyond. A candid conversation about innovation that’s actually happening today.

19. 

    6 Nov 2025

    Fixing E/M Coding Errors Fast: Dawson Ballard's Playbook for Smarter Audit | Healthcare Intelligence

    How do you teach clinicians to code accurately without drowning in rules? Join Charlene Wang (Ember AI) and Dawson Ballard (Rush University Medical Center) to dive into more details on making E/M audits actionable. You’ll learn: The #1 training tactic that improves coding accuracy How to handle gray areas Teaching teams to navigate CPT vs. Medicare rules efficiently Best practices for ICD-10 and CPT annual rollouts How to integrate autonomous coding tools safely If you care about E/M reliability, audit strategy, and coder-clinician collaboration, this episode is for you.

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