November Webinar Recap

Tools of the Trade – Best Investigator and Auditor Hacks

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting a thought-provoking webinar titled “Tools of the Trade: Best Investigator and Auditor Hacks.” Our panelists, Jessica Rodriguez , SIU Investigator at Advize Health, and Rebecca Figueras , Documentation Auditor, shared their expertise on the essential tools, techniques, and strategies that empower healthcare investigators and auditors to succeed in today’s dynamic landscape.

If you couldn’t attend, don’t worry! This blog highlights the key takeaways, audience questions, and expert insights from the session.

🔥Key Topics Discussed:

1. Investigative Techniques That Work

Jessica Rodriguez highlighted the importance of tailoring investigative approaches to the context:

• Cognitive Interview: Encourages detailed and accurate recall through non-confrontational questioning, especially useful for witnesses.
• PEACE Model: A structured yet ethical framework fostering collaboration and minimizing bias in interviews.
• Reid Technique: Effective for uncovering inconsistencies and extracting confessions, though it requires careful, ethical application.
• Good Cop/Bad Cop: Situationally useful but should be handled with professionalism to maintain trust.

Jessica emphasized that pairing these techniques with robust data analytics is a game-changer for investigations. Quality data enables precise questioning and sharpens investigative outcomes.

2. Collaboration in the Face of Disagreement

Rebecca Figueras provided valuable insights on managing disagreements between investigators:

• Open Communication: Listening to each other’s viewpoints fosters mutual understanding and trust.
• Fact-Based Problem-Solving: Relying on data ensures decisions remain objective and grounded in evidence.
• Collaboration and Compromise: Disagreements often lead to innovation when approached with mutual respect and shared goals.

Rebecca highlighted how these approaches not only resolve conflicts but also strengthen the investigative process as a whole.

3. Leveraging Cross-Payer Experience

Both panelists discussed the value of having a wide range of payer experiences. They noted how exposure to diverse systems and challenges equips investigators and auditors to identify patterns, anticipate risks, and apply lessons learned to new scenarios.

4. Audience Q&A Highlights:

Q: What are the most effective investigative techniques? Jessica detailed several approaches, including open-ended questioning, fostering trust, and leveraging structured models like PEACE and Reid, while emphasizing ethical practices and data-driven strategies.

Q: How can disagreements between investigators be resolved? Rebecca stressed the importance of active listening, relying on facts, and finding common ground, transforming disagreements into opportunities for growth.

Q: What’s the best way to prepare for audits? Panelists underscored the need for thorough documentation, proactive risk assessments, and staying current with regulatory changes to ensure audit readiness.

Q: Which regulatory trends should organizations prioritize? Jessica pointed out the increasing focus on real-time data analysis and fraud prevention, urging healthcare organizations to invest in technology and training that align with these trends.

5. Missed the Webinar? Watch the Recording!

We’re thrilled with the level of engagement and meaningful discussion this webinar inspired. If you couldn’t attend, you can still gain valuable insights by watching the recording.

Continue the Conversation

Have additional questions or want to learn more about investigative tools and techniques? Drop your thoughts in the comments below or connect with us directly. At Advize, we’re passionate about empowering healthcare professionals to improve compliance, enhance patient care, and combat fraud.

#WebinarRecap #SIU #HealthcareFraud #InvestigationHacks #Compliance #AdvizeHealth