Accurate documentation, billing, and coding are critical to the financial stability of Michigan’s Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and rural providers. Errors in these processes not only jeopardize compliance but also directly affect reimbursement dollars that are vital to sustaining local care. To strengthen revenue cycle operations, the Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH), with support from the Northern Michigan Opioid Response Consortium (NMORC), hosted two educational programs in 2025: the CAH Billing & Coding BootCamp and the Provider Billing & Coding Workshop.
Together, these programs brought billers, coders, and providers into the same conversation, helping to bridge gaps, building skills, and reinforcing a culture of revenue integrity across Michigan’s CAHs and other providers.
The CAH Billing & Coding BootCamp
In August 2025, 47 participants gathered in Mount Pleasant for a 1.5-day hands-on BootCamp focused on documentation best practices, CPT/HCPCS-II/ICD-10-CM coding, payer strategies, and billing compliance. The program offered 11 CEUs approved by ArchProCoding and AAPC, along with preparation for the CAH Coding & Billing Specialist (CAH-CBS) certification exam.
Survey results reflected the strong value participants gained:
- 100% rated the training Excellent or Good.
- 88% said the information was Extremely or Very relevant to their work.
- 76% reported moderate to significant improvement in knowledge.
- 94% said they would definitely recommend the BootCamp to peers.
Participants praised the balance of practical instruction and broad perspective. One attendee noted, “I loved that it was billing and coding so that each department could see what the other has to do. Certainly, helps bridge some gaps in communication.” Another reflected on the value of peer learning: “Networking with other billers at other facilities is very helpful. Knowing others may struggle with the same complications and denials helps me understand it’s not just our system.”
Three providers also attended and found the BootCamp eye-opening. One shared, “This has been amazing and opened my eyes to how my work impacts others down the line. I wish more of this would be taught in the early education and internship phases of my career.” Their presence underscored the importance of connecting documentation at the point of care with the downstream processes of coding and billing.
The Provider Billing & Coding Workshop
After the morning session ended the workshop, MCRH brought together 25 providers, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered nurses: along with 15 additional participants such as social workers, clinic managers, and healthcare staff for the Provider Billing & Coding Workshop. The program was approved for 3 CME credits (MD, DO, NP, PA, RN), underscoring its value as a continuing education opportunity for clinical teams.
This interactive session focused on strengthening provider documentation, understanding payer compliance, and aligning provider notes with billing and coding requirements. The program also fostered closer collaboration between providers and coding staff, addressing one of the revenue cycle’s most persistent challenges.
While survey data was not collected for this workshop, feedback from crossover participants reinforced its impact. One provider remarked that the workshop, paired with the BootCamp, gave them clarity on how their clinical documentation directly affects billing outcomes and hospital revenue. Another participant expressed gratitude in a follow-up note:
“I have learned so much about Critical Access Hospital Coding and Billing. The knowledge I’ve gained from the conference has made a big impact on my career decision. I really would like to pursue medical coding by obtaining certification. I’m so grateful and thankful for the opportunity.”
Building a Culture of Revenue Integrity
By investing in both technical staff and clinical providers, MCRH and NMORC have laid the groundwork for a stronger revenue cycle in Michigan’s rural hospitals. Participants walked away not only with enhanced knowledge but also with renewed confidence and connections to peers facing similar challenges.
These programs will help to:
- Reduce claim denials and billing errors.
- Strengthen communication between providers, coders, and billers.
- Inspire career growth and certification among rural staff.
- Reinforce the financial health of CAHs, enabling reinvestment in patient care.
The CAH Billing & Coding BootCamp and the Provider Workshop demonstrate the power of education to transform practice, improve collaboration, and ultimately sustain rural health services. As one participant put it simply: “All the content was relevant to my job.”
For MCRH, these stories reflect more than successful events, they illustrate how strategic training, and partnership can help rural hospitals thrive, ensuring high-quality care remains close to home for Michigan communities.
Connect with Jeff Nagy, Quality Improvement Advisor, at Jeff.Nagy@affiliate.msu.edu to explore quality and financial performance initiatives that strengthen rural health care in Michigan.