Customer Story: Rural 9 Network
How 9 Rural Hospitals Reduced Claim Denials with AAPC’s Custom Training
Goals
Maximize grant funding through training that boosts revenue across the entire network
Enhance provider coding and documentation to minimize denials
Empower clinic leadership to optimize workflow management and streamline operations
Overview
The Rural 9 Network, a group of nine rural hospitals in Utah, recognized a critical need for improved provider coding and documentation to reduce claim denials. In collaboration with AAPC, the network implemented a training program customized to address the unique challenges rural healthcare providers face, aimed to equip both providers and clinic leaders across multiple specialties with the skills to improve coding accuracy and operational efficiency.
Approach
Matt McCullough, Ph.D., the director of the Rural 9 Network, faced a challenge when Liz Brown, the HR Director at Gunnison Valley Hospital, reached out in search of training to enhance provider coding and documentation.
Recognizing an opportunity to support more than just Gunnison Valley, Matt decided to leverage an HRSA grant from the Utah Flex program to include eight other hospitals in the search for a training solution. AAPC stood out as the ideal partner due to its extensive expertise and ability to train a wide range of healthcare workers, from physicians to coders.
To create a tailored program, Matt and his colleagues from the rural hospitals collaborated with Melissa Kudela, AAPC Director of Custom Training. Together, they created a comprehensive plan that included:
Provider Training: Six 1-hour live training sessions were conducted for hospital providers, focusing on E/M coding, ICD-10-CM coding, and specialty-specific topics like OB/GYN, family practice, and emergency services.
Leadership Training: Six 2-hour live virtual sessions for clinic leadership covered coding management, revenue cycle management, and operational improvements.
“The return on investment for better coding and documentation is a big deal. They'll [the hospitals] find additional revenue long term because of having better coders and billing practices." - Matt McCullough, Rural 9 Network Director
A key advantage of the program was its virtual format, which allowed providers and leaders to participate without disrupting their schedules.
Attendees earned CEUs that could be applied toward their certification requirements and became members of an AAPC Corporate Membership, gaining access to continued education, certifications, and the Codify tool. This partnership not only met the training needs of the Rural 9 Network, but also laid the foundation for continuous improvement and education within their teams.
“We have already seen an increase in better coding in our clinic and a better understanding of denials for our billers and denial follow-up has been more successful.” - Teresa Brooks, San Juan Health
Results
Improved Accuracy: Providers gained a better understanding of coding and documentation, reducing the risk of claim denials.
Better Compliance: Staff enhanced their understanding of ICD-10-CM coding and medical necessity guidelines.
Empowered Leaders: Clinic leaders gained the tools to streamline workflows, enhance patient care, and improve financial sustainability.
Expanded Participation: The program exceeded expectations with 150 participants, far surpassing the target of 35-40, reflecting widespread demand for the training.
Ongoing Benefits: Hospitals received recorded sessions for onboarding, refresher courses, and future staff development.
Cost-Effective Training: Federal grant funds and pooled resources reduced costs, making high-quality training accessible to all hospitals in the network.
Post-Training Success
Trainees were surveyed after the trainings about their experience:
100% of participants felt the training provided practical, relevant examples.
98% reported improved competence and confidence in the topic.
96% agreed the training was customized to their specific job needs.
Utah Rural Independent Hospital Network, dba "Rural 9 Network"
Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah
Industry: Healthcare
Organization Size: 9 Hospitals across the state
Partner Contact:
Matt McCullough, Ph.D.
Rural Hospital Improvement Director
Rural 9 Network Director
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