In the Southwest, from the Midwest, working in the ‘Wild West’ (aka ACA)

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By Tracey Anderson, RN BSN MPH

I didn’t realize until today, just how much I needed the HCCA Managed Care Compliance Conference this week. Heading to the Southwest in January is always uplifting when you live in Minnesota, but that was not quite enough given the uncertainty those of us currently face working in the ‘Wild West’, aka the ACA. We all know significant changes are coming, to the ACA marketplaces. Marketplaces which to date have not been very stable, as a result we are accustomed to rolling with the ongoing changes.  The events last week were more distracting and a bit draining, to say the least. Nothing like a conference to turn things around!

I am not new to managed care, but 2 years ago I was new to compliance. I joined the HCCA because I needed to quickly learn compliance, build a program and learn the ACA rules at the same time. I was a ‘Cowgirl’ on mission.  It was overwhelming but with each Compliance Today Journal, Regional Conference, and Institute, I gained insights which I applied as I developed a compliance program that is well respected in our company.

Fast forward to this week. I was here to ‘fill’ my compliance bucket again with good ideas, take time to get away and absorb all I could. Many of the sessions center on the vast requirements aligned to Medicare and Medicaid, and a bit less on the ACA new frontier. Regardless I can always apply the learnings to the work I’m doing.

I sat by someone Sunday that is new to the ACA compliance space. She is a little like me 18 months ago. She has been in her role about 6 months, not new to compliance but new to ACA and managed care! It was so nice to meet someone that understands the compliance challenges I face too. When asked, I was excited to share my ACA experience with her, including what I learned going through a CMS ACA Compliance Audit in 2015 and how I leverage our business teams. I offered reassurance that she will quickly learn too!

I wasn’t actively networking, more passively networking, by casually chatting in the back of the room after a session. As a result, I leave here with my first HCCA colleague that I will connect with after the conference. I know I should have left with a connection before this, but baby steps!

There is and will be much uncertainty around the ACA “Wild West’ moving forward. This week however reinforces the things I do know for certain;

  • We will always have compliance work regardless of how the ACA evolves!
  • I can be a compliance resource to others!
  • Passive networking can be mutually beneficial!
  • I love working in compliance!
  • I would not be where I am today without the support and encouragement from HCCA!

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