Each quarter, divisions within Palmetto GBA recognize employees for exceptional performance. Please help us congratulate our first quarter honorees.

Associates create report that streamlines process, improves accuracy

As a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), Palmetto GBA must adhere to and comply with rules and regulations set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). One of the requirements is for Medicare Second Payer (MSP) voluntary refunds is that an electronic correspondence referral system (ECRS) is submitted to the benefits coordination and recover center (BCRC). The Palmetto GBA MSP Voluntary team reviews an average of 150 ECRS submissions per contract per month.

This process used to be very time-consuming until this team found a solution to save time and improve accuracy. A report was designed to pull information from the ECRS website and compare that information with data in iFlow. The report is distributed to the MSP staff twice each week for review.

The creation of the ECRS Response Report has saved 125 hours per month, and no responses have been overlooked since the report’s implementation. The ability to streamline a process while improving accuracy has earned the ECRS Response Report team the Division 54 Process Improvement of the Quarter.

Team Members

Courtney Bonner, Bonnie Castillo, Ashley Chestnut, Sandy Collins, Brandalyn Dedonis, Zachary Dedonis, Heather DeRita, Jamey Dillard, Erin Green, Rebecca Johnson, Latonya Townsend, Susan Singletary

Team honored with quarterly award for attention to detail, dedication to accuracy

The Cost Accounting, Time Reporting and Budget Team consists of three employees with different roles who come together to form a cohesive, well-oiled machine that keeps Palmetto GBA running smoothly.

Cost accountants ensure invoices are submitted timely, timekeeping accountants are responsible for making certain employee hours are logged and approved, and budget analysts track these incomes and expenses to produce accurate budget forecasts. Each part is integral of the company’s fiscal processes.

All the cost accountants, time reporting accountants and budget analysts ensure key measures are met. Each part of this team relies on the other, and this cooperation and attention to detail is why the Cost Accounting, Time Reporting and Budget Team has been named the Division 54 Team of the Quarter.

Team Members

Felicia Davis, Denise Dearing, David Garrick

Willingness to take on new challenges earns Julia Knapper honor of Division 54 Coach of the Quarter

Accounting Supervisor Julia Knapper covers a wide range of activities in her role and interacts with many different internal and external customers.

During the first quarter, she demonstrated exceptional coaching qualities during a time of significant change experienced in Division 54 and across the company. This ability to adapt and lead during turbulent times is why Knapper was named the Division 54 Coach of the Quarter.

“Julia and her team have ramped up activities and interactions with the new Supplemental Medical Review Contractor,” said Accounting Director Joe Strickland, who nominated Knapper. “Julia sets a great example for her staff. She is willing to take on new work and new challenges, and she takes the time to encourage her staff to do the same.”

Knapper also contributed to the successful transition of her staff to working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic and took on the additional challenge of bringing on a new hire during this transition.