ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum

ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum

Saturday, May 3 – Sunday, May 4, 2025 | Kissimmee, FL

The ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum offers two days of exceptional education delivered by the nation's leading physician advisors.

With two tracks on Day 1, this conference is perfect for both new and veteran physician advisors. In the morning of Day 1, learn the physician advisor's key responsibilities (or brush up on the basics!) with our Physician Advisor Foundations sessions in Track 1, or explore more advanced topics in Track 2. In the afternoon, continue to choose the sessions that interest you most! The two tracks come together on Day 2 for a unified experience.

Smaller and more intimate than the annual ACDIS conference, the ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum offers an unmatched opportunity to learn how to engage providers in documentation efforts, leverage metrics to demonstrate return on investment, and employ specific strategies to decrease denials. Plus, take advantage of the many networking opportunities to connect with and learn from your peers!

Whether you're seeking to enter the CDI world or deepen your expertise, the ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum is the perfect place to continue your professional development.

NEW! Special Features:

• Keynote Speaker: Ready yourself for two days of learning with an invigorating and empowering keynote session.
• Exhibitors: Visit the exhibit hall and learn more about the innovative solutions available to you.
• Networking Reception: Get to know your peers and chat with our exhibitors during a social hour at the end of the first day.

For the first time, save $100 with Early Bird pricing if you register by March 3, 2025! Plus, ACDIS members save $100!

Attending both The Physician Advisor's Forum and the 2025 ACDIS National Conference? Kick off a week of learning and save 15% on this event with your ACDIS conference registration.

ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum

Agenda

Saturday, May 3, 2025

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks from ACDIS

8:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Keynote: Free Your Brilliance™: Move Beyond Any Limits
Nina Meehan

In this inspirational keynote, Nina helps audiences uncover and overcome the barriers blocking team collaboration, innovation, and growth. By addressing feelings of defeat, uncertainty, lack of focus, and fear of change or failure, Nina provides a road map to identify and move past obstacles, offering a formula to clarify goals, motivations, and strategies. Audiences will leave equipped with tools to tackle modern challenges through enhanced creativity, communication, and connection, empowering their organizations to solve big problems and achieve unprecedented success.

9:25 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.

Track 1: Physician Advisor Foundations, Part 1: Achieve Medical Staff Buy-In
Trey La Charité, MD, FACP, SFHM, CCS, CCDS

In this foundational session, learn how to explain the goals of a CDI program as well as why CDI is crucial to both providers and the facility. Plus, better understand what providers may not know about their documentation and publicly reported performance data and take away strategies to encourage improved documentation habits.

Track 2: DRG Validation Denials and Appeals
Amarin "Ty" Alexander, MD, MB, MA, CHCQM-PHYADV, CPC-A, CIC, CRC, CPMA, CDIP, CDEI, CCS, CCDS

This session includes a detailed discussion on how to prevent DRG validation denials and approach appeals. Attendees will gain insight into the DRG validation process, learning why DRGs are audited and sometimes denied as well as how to construct an effective appeal.

10:25 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Networking Break

10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Track 1: Physician Advisor Foundations, Part 2: Ensure Program Compliance and Success
Trey La Charité, MD, FACP, SFHM, CCS, CCDS

Pick up where Physician Advisor Foundations, Part 1 left off by learning strategies to improve medical staff adoption of CDI efforts and practical suggestions for difficult conversations with providers. Additionally, understand how to ensure that the CDI program is successful and remains compliant.

Track 2: Teaching CDI in a Teaching Program
Catherine Pesek Bird, DO, MBA, CHCQM-PHYADV

It’s never too early to teach best practices to physicians in training, and this session will explore best practices for introducing CDI, utilization management, and quality metrics to residents. Learn strategies for incorporating learning into daily rounds; giving feedback to the residents, fellows, and medical students; and partnering with the teaching attendings.

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Networking Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Track 1: Physician-Led CDI: Opening Doors for Effective Partnerships and Clinical Database Participation
Samara Llewellyn, MD, MBA, and Elisa Sninchak, MBA, M.ED, BSN, RN, CCDS, CDIP, CCS

The session will share a physician clinical documentation excellence (CDE) leader’s perspective on documentation and coding nuances as well as how having a physician CDE leader removed barriers at the organization, improving connections with service line leaders and collaboration across the system on shared goals. Attendees will leave this session with information about data dashboard development as well as specific examples of how the dashboard improved progress toward goals and accountability.

Track 2: Coding of Chronic Conditions in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings
Beth Wolf, MD, CPC, CCDS; Audrey Howard, RHIA; and Susan Belley, M.Ed., RHIA 

Hear how a CDI physician and two coding experts from the inpatient and outpatient worlds navigate the complexities of coding and reporting with precision in this case-based presentation. This session will show attendees how to be compliant, avoid penalties, and improve patient outcomes.

2:10 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.

Track 1: Optimizing Patient Care: The Dynamic Duo of Physician Advisors and Utilization Management Nurses
Anjani Mahabashya, MD, CHCQM-PHYADV

Physician advisors provide expert clinical insights and guidance, while utilization management (UM) nurses assess criteria and collaborate with case management and insurance companies. Together, they bridge gaps between providers, patients, and payers, ensuring clear communication and alignment on treatment plans. In this session, learn how collaboration between physician advisors and UM nurses streamlines processes, improves patient outcomes, and boosts overall healthcare efficiency.

Track 2: Accurate Malnutrition Documentation and Capture
Andrew B. Maigur, MD, CHCQM-PHYADV, CMPC, CCDS, and Jeanne Johnson, MHA/INF, BSN, RN, CCDS

Learn how one organization initiated a process improvement pilot project for accurate malnutrition documentation and capture in the oncology unit of a tertiary care hospital. The speakers will discuss how the improvements led to a systemwide rollout of the project and what return on investment they’ve seen thus far.

3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Networking Break

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Track 1: Successfully Engaging Surgeons in CDI Initiatives in a Safety-Net Hospital
Sansrita Nepal, MD, MBA, FACP and Daniel G. VanDerPloeg, MD

In this session, attendees will gain practical tips for engaging busy surgeons in documentation integrity initiatives. They will also learn tools to help build a collaborative culture between surgeons, CDI, compliance, and revenue cycle, encouraging trust and driving success.

Track 2: Incorporating Quality Work From a Physician Advisor’s Perspective
Catherine Pesek Bird, DO, MBA, CHCQM-PHYADV

In this session, learn how to expand physician advisor roles by developing a program that reviews cases for CDI and utilization management opportunities as well as mortality and quality measures. The speaker will discuss how to examine mortality reviews with coders and CDI specialists and outline the opportunities for collaboration with quality and wound care nurses when faced with a Patient Safety Indicator.

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception

Sunday, May 4, 2025

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Networking Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Copy & Paste: The Power, Perils, and a Policy
Robert Oubre, MD

Understand why physicians use copy and paste and how it can be a helpful tool when used correctly. Using published studies, the speaker will explain the problems with the frequent misuse of copy and paste as well as the policy his institution implemented. Finally, he'll report on the policy's acceptance by providers and how he recommends providers make their notes copy-and-paste proof.

9:10 a.m. – 10:10 a.m.
Got Heart Attacks? Fixing AMI Mortality Data Through CDI Education
Trey La Charité, MD, FACP, SFHM, CCS, CCDS

One of the most widely reported statistics is an organization’s mortality rate for the acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) they treat; however, the wide variation in what bedside providers believe constitutes an AMI diagnosis can lead to inaccurate disease reporting. Learn the steps that one CDI program at an academic medical center undertook to achieve significant improvements in their AMI mortality metrics. This session will review why correct AMI capture is so crucial to the hospital, what definitively is and is not an AMI, and how a targeted educational campaign moved the needle.

10:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Rx for Results: Elevating Healthcare With Physician Advisors
Kory Anderson, MD, FACP, CHCQM, and Beau Bailey, MD, FAAP

In the first of a two-part series, hear how one organization moved from an external physician advisor vendor program to an in-house program that reports through quality. The speaker will discuss how they incorporated utilization review, peer-to-peer, denials, and appeals work into the program, partnering with the hospital’s CDI department. Plus, learn metrics for tracking success and showcasing the value of a physician advisor.

11:30 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Networking Lunch

12:35 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
From Merger to Momentum: A Physician Advisor Success Story
Kory Anderson, MD, FACP, CHCQM, and Charles C. Talton, MD, CHCQM

In the second of a two-part series, hear how this same organization reimagined its physician advisor and CDI structures, bringing these previously separate entities under the same roof: quality. In doing so, they expanded CDI coverage to include quality and safety metrics and added physician education, appeal writing, and additional involvement in quality work to the physician advisor program.

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Empowering Physicians: Leveraging AI for Improved Clinical Decision Support, Documentation Excellence, and Provider Well-Being
Shirlivia Parker, MHA, RHIA, CDIP, BS, and Alvin Gore, MD

In today's healthcare landscape, the integration of AI tools is not just a technological advancement but a crucial step toward addressing provider burnout, enhancing clinical decision support, and achieving documentation excellence. Implementing AI necessitates a thoughtful approach, focusing on solving specific problems and comprehending the profound impacts on clinical workflows and provider well-being. In this session, learn how physicians who proactively engage with and expand their knowledge of AI tools will lead the charge in revolutionizing patient care, improving efficiency, ensuring accurate documentation, and fostering a sustainable and supportive environment for all healthcare providers.

— Agenda subject to change —

ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum

Learning Outcomes

After attending this event, learners will be able to:

• Define the optimal role of the physician advisor in a CDI department
• List key physician advisor metrics that demonstrate return on investment and drive provider engagement
• Identify strategies for decreasing denials
• Recognize opportunities for collaborating with other departments

ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum

Location

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
6000 West Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee, FL 34746 

Room rate: $234.00 + $38.00 resort fee*/night
Hotel cut-off date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Marriott Reservation: 407-586-2000 referring to Event code, ACDIS Conference
Reservations URL: Coming soon!
Hotel website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcogp-gaylord-palms-resort-and-convention-center/overview/

* The prevailing daily resort fee, will cover several in-room amenities which include:

• Resort Wide Internet Access:
  • Enhanced in-room wireless Internet Access for up to six (6) devices
  • Basic Wireless Internet Access in Public Areas and Convention Center on a Shared Network.
• Two (2) bottled waters replenished daily in your guest room
• Scheduled shuttle service to Walt Disney World® Theme Parks & Disney Springs®
• Two (2) pieces of Dry-Cleaning daily
• Admittance for two (2) people to Yoga Classes – Offered twice a day, seven (7) days a week
• Complimentary 24-hour access to fitness center

HCPro/ACDIS has no affiliation with any third-party companies or travel assistance providers. Rooms should be booked directly with the event hotel using the official information provided on the website and in the brochure. 

Pricing

• Retail price: $1,399.00 

• 15% discount when purchased with main conference: $1,189.15 
• Early bird: $1,299.00 — Early Bird discount ends March 3, 2025!
• 15% discount when purchased with main conference: $1,104.15 
• ACDIS member discount: $1,299.00 
• 15% discount when purchased with main conference: $1,104.15 
• Early bird plus ACDIS member: $1,199.00 — Early Bird discount ends March 3, 2025!
• 15% discount when purchased with main conference: $1,019.15

Want to talk to a member of our dedicated team? Contact Us via email at hcevents@hcpro.com or 855-225-5341 ext. 4005.

ACDIS Physician Advisor Forum

Continuing Education

ACDIS
This program has been approved for 11 continuing education units towards fulfilling the requirements of the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist certification, offered as a service of the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS). 

AHIMA
This program has been approved for 11 continuing education unit(s) (CEUs) for use in fulfilling the continuing education requirements of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Granting of Approved CEUs from AHIMA does not constitute endorsement of the program content or its program provider.

NAHRI
This program has been approved for 11 continuing education units towards fulfilling the requirements of the Certification in Healthcare Revenue Integrity (CHRI), offered as a service of the National Association of Healthcare Revenue Integrity (NAHRI).

Continue to check for updates and additional CEU information!