Our Team

Rick Reid, MPA, FHFMA, CHFP, CPA

"Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should." - Ian Malcolm, PhD

Rick has over thirty years of expertise in the healthcare finance and reimbursement service areas. He has worked in a variety of roles in hospital finance departments, including ten years as a CFO for Acute Care and Rural hospitals. Additionally, he has consulted for multiple national healthcare consulting firms and worked for a healthcare payor. Rick prides himself on providing the high level of service that is synonymous with The Rybar Group.

Experience:

• Strong understanding of both present and future reimbursement and payment issues and strategies to ensure providers are optimizing their opportunities
• In-depth knowledge of accounting, budgeting, reimbursement and revenue cycle functions, including Medicare and Medicaid Cost Reporting, Third-Party Reimbursement, Contractual Modeling, Corporate Compliance, Strategic Planning, Financial Analysis, Budgeting, Decision Support and Payor Reimbursement Systems

• Specialization in ensuring rural health providers are optimizing their opportunities and that they qualify for all potential Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement

Associations:

• Member, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• Former Chapter President, Western Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• Former Board Member, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)
• Member, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)

Julie Hardy, MSA, CRCE, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P

"What other people think of you is none of your business." 

Julie draws upon her extensive experience acquired while working in executive-level positions at academic medical centers, integrated health systems, children’s hospitals, and hospital-owned medical groups.

With a focus in revenue cycle management including coding, billing, compliance, reimbursement, and vendor management, Julie has helped to enhance provider financial performance, resulting in improved reimbursement and increased physician compensation while maintaining compliant practices. She has a special interest in process improvement, project management, and operational optimization, regularly providing guidance as to best practices and methods that support processes leading to optimal revenue.

Experience:

• Identification of revenue opportunities through improved revenue cycle processes and the optimization of physician contracts

• Assistance throughout third-party audits to ensure providers have the resources needed to support documentation, coding and billing.

• Expert testimony on behalf of physicians related to coding and compliance matters

Associations:

• Member, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
• Business Committee Chair, Michigan Medical Group Management Association (MiMGMA)
• Member, American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
• Member, American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
• Member, American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)
• Member, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)

Jesse C. Parker, CPA

"Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity." 

Jesse offers extensive healthcare regulatory reimbursement and payment experience. Through his work for one of the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC), Jesse offers experience with financial and governmental reimbursement audits for healthcare organizations and government entities.

Utilizing his first-hand experience within the MAC, Jesse provides our clients with a current understanding as to what the auditors are requesting and how providers can work to optimize their reimbursement while meeting the regulatory requirements. He is instrumental in assisting our clients in identifying revenue opportunities through analysis of their cost reports and the application of regulatory opportunities. 

Experience:

• Healthcare regulatory reimbursement and payment experience
• Analysis of cost report structures, statistical allocations, and data to ensure proper reimbursement for facilities in multiple states
• Medicare and Medicaid cost report regulatory requirements and optimization

Associations:

• Member, Florida Association of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA)
• Member, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)

Steve Sprague, CHFP, CPA

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Mark Twain

Steve has assisted numerous rural hospitals in ensuring that they benefited from the special reimbursement opportunities available through their designation. His innovative problem-solving capabilities and the ability to link business strategies to successful outcomes is invaluable as he supports clients through the appeal process. He has been deeply involved in several cost report preparations and optimization engagements and has analyzed cost report structures, statistical allocations, and data to ensure proper reimbursement for facilities in multiple states. Steve holds expertise in all facets of accounting, including corporate budgeting, financial reconciliations, and financial reporting. His experience includes multiple years as a Corporate Controller for a national business strategy organization.

Experience:

• Healthcare regulatory reimbursement experience
• Numerous Successful Volume Decrease Adjustment requests
• Perform system-wide analysis of the potential impact of payer policy changes

Associations:

• Member, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)

Claudine Hildreth

"You'll laugh about it one day, so why not laugh now?"

As a seasoned Client Relationship Professional, Claudine works as the business liaison of the organization, focusing on the success, satisfaction, and growth of our clients. She has developed an in-depth knowledge of the healthcare industry, having worked in various operational and administrative roles within the hospital, clinical office, pharmaceutical distribution, and consulting settings. Over the years, Claudine has helped shape the strategic direction of a number of organizations, working with several non-profits and for-profits through restructuring and change, developing strategies to ensure stability while creating a new framework and plan for growth. She has proven experience in directing business efforts, working to align resources and services to meet the needs of organizations and lay the groundwork for future growth and stability.

Experience:

• Development of mutual beneficial strategic relationships
• Contract analysis and negotiations
• Strategic direction and organizational alignment through restructure and growth
• Marketing and promotion of services

Associations:

• Member of the Board of Directors for numerous non-profit organizations

Jessica Heilig

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

Jessica is an instrumental member of our Volume Decrease Adjustment team. With extensive expertise in healthcare regulatory reimbursement, she has played a significant role in assisting rural hospitals and health systems to benefit from special reimbursement opportunities linked to their hospital designation.

Over the past several years, Jessica has contributed to numerous successful Volume Decrease Adjustment requests for Sole Community and Medicare Dependent Hospitals. Her efforts extended to assistance with Provider Reimbursement Review Board (PRRB) hearings, as well as with the analysis and conversions for Rural Health Clinics and hospital departments seeking Provider-Based status. Jessica is dedicated to continuously identifying improved reimbursement opportunities for our clients.

Before joining The Rybar Group, Jessica worked as a litigation paralegal, a background that has proven invaluable in navigating complex regulatory documents and ensuring precise documentation for appeals. Her paralegal experience has equipped her with the skills to meticulously handle the regulatory processes and support our clients in achieving optimal reimbursement outcomes.

Experience:

• Healthcare regulatory reimbursement

Terri Kalinski

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts." - Eleanor Roosevelt

With over thirty-five years of experience, Terri offers extensive experience in the areas of healthcare finance, reimbursement and revenue cycle. Her work in the finance and revenue cycle departments of hospitals provides her with a clear understanding of system integration and its effect on clinical and financial outcomes.

She has served as the liaison between executives, clinical managers and staff to understand the impact of clinical processes on the revenue cycle. With a strong understanding of the front-, middle- and back-end of the revenue process, Terri uses a teamwork approach to implement solutions to improve overall workflow processes.

Terri’s systematic approach to reviewing hospital revenue cycle process, results in efficiency and financial gain.

Experience:

• Evaluate and implement improvements to the revenue cycle by optimizing available software
• Improved efficiency and financial outcomes
• Implementation of Cerner Soarian EMR and Patient Accounting
• Implementation of a clinical documentation improvement program to decrease inpatient denials and identify the appropriate level of care

Associations:

• Member, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)

Deb Kenney, CPC, CPMA, CRC, CPEDC

"Improvise, adapt and overcome" - U.S. Marine Corp

Deb’s experience in revenue cycle management, coding, billing, compliance and auditing allows her to assist clients in implementing sustainable solutions related to optimizing revenue and workflows, establishing and maintaining reporting methodologies and ensuring compliance. She has worked at numerous medical centers, physician groups, hospitals and national healthcare consulting firms, including work as the Director of Revenue Management for a multi-location Federally Qualified Health Center that provided primary care and Integrated Behavioral Health services.

As a consultant, Deb has assisted several multi-specialty practices and hospital-based physician groups in an array of payer reimbursement-related needs. Through her activities she has developed expertise in risk and compliance, medical records management, multi-specialty physician coding, chart auditing, medical billing and payer contracting.

Experience:

• Developed expertise in risk and compliance, medical records management, multi-specialty physician coding, chart auditing, medical billing and payer contracting.
• Assessment of revenue cycle activities, developing and implementing workflow and process improvements

Associations:

• Member, American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
• Member, National Alliance of Medical Auditing Specialists (NAMAS)

Sarah Martinez

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." - C.S. Lewis

Sarah holds expertise in various facets of accounting, finance, and revenue cycle. This includes work as a Revenue Cycle Specialist for a rural referral center and teaching hospital and as a Financial Analyst as part of a health system. Over the years, Sarah has provided analytical support for process improvement initiatives, as well as assisted with the annual budget, monthly close processes, and bank and G/L general ledger reconciliation. 

Currently, Sarah works with a variety of providers, assisting them in optimizing their reimbursement opportunities. Her focus includes work with contractual reviews, preparation of various cost reports, cost report strategies and governmental and third-party appeals and reopens.

Experience:

• Analytical support for process improvement initiatives
• Preparation of Medicare cost reports for critical care hospitals and rural health clinics
• Appeals and re-opens to obtain optimal reimbursement

Associations:

• Member, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)

Tammy Raab

"To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe." - Marilyn vos Savant

With over a decade of experience in healthcare reimbursement, Tammy offers a wealth of expertise to our clients. Her background spans across both public, non-profit medical centers and national healthcare consulting firms, where she has honed her skills in reimbursement, financial analysis, and data analysis. Her specialty lies in Medicare and Medicaid cost reporting. Tammy has a proven track record of collaborating with hospitals of various designations to help them optimize their reimbursement potential.

Currently, Tammy serves as a Reimbursement Consultant, extending her support to a wide range of healthcare providers, including hospitals of various designations, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Rural Health providers. Her mission remains unchanged: assisting providers in achieving optimal reimbursement outcomes. She continues to work on contractual reviews, the preparation of various cost reports, cost report strategies, and navigating the complex landscape of governmental and third-party appeals and reopens.

Experience:

• Contractual reviews
• Strategies for optimizing revenue with Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Various Medicare-related appeal opportunities
• Navigating governmental and third-party appeals and reopens

Associations:

• Member, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA)