Dr. Maria Todd

Dr. Todd has more than 25 years of diverse experience as a professional consultant to the healthcare industry and has been provided hundreds of speeches and seminars over the last decade. She has held various positions as a consultant and employee including:

Firefighter/EMT (1977-1980)
Surgical Technologist (1986-1987)
Single and MultiSpecialty Medical Practice Administrator (1980-1986) (2002-2003)
COO and Paralegal for a 50-clinic Vascular Imaging Lab (1987-1989)
Executive Director of a IPA (1991-1994)
COO, Contracts Manager and Owner of an MSO (1997-2000)
Hospital Business Office Manager (1997)
Medical Billing and Transcription Agency Owner (1990-1992)
Coordinator, provider relations for a large national HMO-PPO (1992)

Dr. Todd has consulted to more than 2000 clients since 1993 in various focus areas. In addition, Dr. Todd has pursued continued educational opportunities including additional certifications as a Health law paralegal and Certified Mediator. She provides expert testimony from time to time and also serves clients and disputants in dispute resolution of managed care contractual issues on a national basis. She holds a BA in Music and Biology, a Master of Health Administration and PhD in Health Administration.

A prolific author, she has authored three books co-published by Mc Graw Hill and the HFMA and MGMA: The Managed Care Contracting Handbook, The Physician Employment Handbook and IPA, PHO and MSO Development Strategies. She has written numerous industry articles and provided hundreds of interviews and lecture presentations since 1993 through Cross Country University, McGraw Hill Healthcare Education Group, Business Network Seminars, Heritage Professional Education, Denver Technical College, University of Denver, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, Medical Group Management Association, Healthcare Financial Management Association, Professional Association of Health Care Office Managers, Wisconsin Hospital Association, and countless other specialty and professional groups.

For many years, she had a regular contributing column in Managed Care Physician, as well as regular articles and monographs in Practice Pointers, both special publications of the American Osteopathic Association. She also had a series of articles in Decisions in Imaging Economics, and Orthopedic Technology Review. She has been featured in more than 20 interviews on managed care contracting topics through the Managed Care Contracting and Reimbursement Advisor, and numerous other provider focused professional journals and other publications.

Programs:

New & Must-See: Medical Tourism - Impact on US Healthcare Providers

With more than 2 million Americans traveling abroad for their medical care, patients are driving the next generation of health care. And with dozens of JCAHO/JCI accredited hospitals around the world offering first class medical care for 10% of the cost that is offered in the U.S., insurers, companies, and experts must explore the opportunities presented by this emerging industry. While the savings speak for themselves, implementing an international component to existing plans can be fraught with hurdles such as addressing liability, credentialing requirements, driving utilization, and more. Do the savings outweigh the costs for U.S. companies?

Medical tourism programs are the latest entry into the managed care and ERISA Self-funded employer markets, with health plans adding benefits to their policies for their members to seek and receive care out of the country. Plans are allowing medical benefits and the cost of travel to be covered "in-network". Many plans find members who have funded their CDHPs are using the funds to cover the costs and make their money go farther. This leaves fewer dollars for stateside providers and creates collections problems for U.S. providers as those with unfunded or underfunded savings accounts continue to seek local care, which may result in increased collections costs while the available cash floats across the sea. Learn what is happening worldwide and take home some ideas to build a strategic response to this growing trend.

Managed Care Topics

Fundamentals of Managed Care (7.0 contact hours)

Analyzing and Negotiation Better Managed Care Contracts (7.0 contact hours)

Denials Management: How to Improve Payments and Reduce Write Offs (7.0 contact hours)

Understanding and Evaluating Managed Care Contracts - (10.4 contact hours)

Effective Managed Care Contracting: Negotiating What You Want and Managing What You Get (3.3 contact hours)

Non-Confrontational Negotiation Skills (1.8 contact hours)

Using Your Computer to Enhance Managed Care Contract Analysis (3.3 contact hours)

Adding New Technology / Services to Your Managed Care Contracts (3.3 contact hours)

Where to From Here - Revitalizing your IPA, PHO or MSO (7.0 contact hours)

Preparing for Pay for Performance Contract Management (1.8 contact hours)

Disease Management and Managed Care (1.8 contact hours)

Medical and Dental Practice Management

Improving Collections for Third Party Liability Cases (7.0 contact hours)

How to Prepare and Present your Case in Small Claims Court (7.0 contact hours)

How to Establish and Collect on Probate Cases (7.0 contact hours)

Marketing Your Medical Practice (7.0 contact hours)

Improving Patient Satisfaction (3.3 contact hours)

What to Do When Managed Care Says "No" (7.0 contact hours)

Leadership Skills for the New Practice Manager (7.0 contact hours)

Developing Self-Directed Work Teams (3.3 contact hours)

Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation

HIPAA Training for New and Existing Employees (3.3 contact hours)

Developing a Medication Error Reduction Policy for your Surgicenter (3.3 contact hours)

Preparing for AAAHC Accreditation and Re-Accreditation (7.0 contact hours)