HFMA Michigan Great Lakes Chapter Update – July 2025 Chapter President’s Message Courtney Guernsey, President, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of HFMA Dear HFMA Michigan Great Lakes Chapter Members, As we reach the midpoint of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on how much we’ve already accomplished as a chapter—and how much opportunity still lies ahead. Over the past few months, we’ve seen incredible engagement across our events, education sessions, and networking opportunities. Whether you’ve attended a virtual seminar, participated in a local gathering, or contributed behind the scenes, your involvement is what keeps our chapter vibrant and strong. This time of year also gives us a chance to recharge. Summer offers a perfect opportunity to invest in your own professional growth and connect with others in our industry. One great way to do that is by joining the Georgia HFMA CRCR Virtual Study Hall, a multi-chapter collaboration happening July 10 through August 21. It’s a fantastic opportunity to prepare for the CRCR certification in a supportive, interactive environment—right from your own home. Looking ahead, I encourage you to mark your calendar for one of our most anticipated events of the year—the Michigan Great Lakes HFMA/MCACHE 70th Annual Fall Conference, taking place on September 11. This long-standing collaboration brings together financial and clinical leaders across Michigan for a day of inspiring content, meaningful networking, and forward-looking strategy. You won’t want to miss it!   Spotlight: Key Financial Stressors Shaping the Industry 1. The Big, Beautiful Bill While this initiative aims to simplify the patient financial experience, it introduces significant financial and operational hurdles. Providers often must invest in new billing platforms, data integration tools, and cross-system coordination—all while working to reduce days in AR, manage evolving denial patterns, and avoid revenue leakage. 2. Medicaid Cuts & Eligibility Changes Recent state and federal moves to reduce Medicaid funding and tighten eligibility carve away at a vital safety-net payer. Here’s what that means: Rising Uncompensated Care: With fewer patients covered, more will likely enter the uninsured pool, increasing bad debt and write-offs. Shifting Payer Mix: A decline in Medicaid volume may mean higher dependency on commercially insured populations, impacting negotiated reimbursement models and potentially squeezing margins. Eligibility Operational Strain: New rules and administrative red tape place heavy burden on registration teams to verify eligibility accurately—errors here can lead to delayed payments, denials, or retroactive billing complications. Strategic Adjustments Needed: Organizations may need to refine charity care policies, institute more proactive eligibility verification, and develop contingency planning to offset financial strain. As healthcare finance professionals, responding to these pressures requires both tactical agility and strategic foresight. From enhancing eligibility workflows to re-evaluating payer contracting models, the choices we make today will shape organizational resilience—and our ability to continue delivering high-quality care. Thank you for being part of this incredible community. Your energy, insight, and dedication are what make our chapter strong. Together, we’ll rise to these challenges—driving positive financial strategies that uphold both fiscal responsibility and patient access.   Warm regards, Courtney Guernsey President, HFMA Michigan Great Lakes Chapter   Volunteer Spotlight Megan Somervell, CRCR, Administrative Assistant for Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Megan Somervell has been a dedicated member of Corewell Health for nearly eight years, currently serving as a Supervisor in the Cash Applications department. With over 15 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Megan brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership in Revenue Cycle Management and Patient Access, with a strong focus on quality and training. A proud alumna of Western Michigan University, Megan earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health Services in 2015. She further advanced her professional credentials by obtaining her Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) certification in 2021. Megan has been an active member of HFMA since 2020 and currently contributes her time and talents as the Administrative Assistant for the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter. Her passion for healthcare finance and commitment to continuous improvement make her a valued asset to both her organization and the HFMA community. Outside of her professional endeavors, Megan enjoys a full and vibrant life with her husband, their 10-month-old son, and two spirited Pembroke Welsh Corgis. She enjoys spending her free time crafting and playing golf. Sponsor Spotlight Thank you to our Premier Sponsor, RSM, for supporting the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of HFMA! Read below for more information about RSM: RSM empowers middle market companies worldwide to take charge of change. The clients RSM serves are the engine of global commerce and economic growth. Their unique middle market perspective makes RSM the natural choice for growth-oriented, internationally active organizations seeking relevant insights and tailored, innovative solutions for a complex and changing world. With a global reach spanning more than 120 countries, they instill confidence in a world of change by bringing the full power of RSM to make a lasting impact on their clients, colleagues and communities. For more information, visit rsmus.com, like them on Facebook, follow them on X and/or connect with them on LinkedIn. Request for Volunteers - Sponsorship Committee We are currently seeking interested individuals for our Programs Committee. The Program Committee is focused on delivering high-value educational content that meets the evolving needs of our Enterprise Members. Our priorities include: Relevant and Timely Topics: Ensuring our sessions cover the most valuable      and up-to-date information across all key areas of interest to Enterprise      Members. Strategic Frequency and Timing: Offering sessions at the right cadence and      times of year to maximize impact and accessibility. Expert Speakers: Building a speaker repository to ensure we consistently feature      knowledgeable presenters who deliver content at the appropriate level. Accessible Events: Hosting in-person events across various      geographic locations, with virtual options available whenever possible. Enterprise Member Engagement: Supporting the Chapter Success Plan goal set by      Courtney Guernsey by prioritizing value for Enterprise Members in all our      initiatives. All interested parties should reach out to Ariana Raymond at Ariana.Raymond@trinity-health.org for additional details. Upcoming Events - MGL Chapter Michigan Great Lakes HFMA/MCACHE 70th Annual Fall Conference - Lansing - September 11, 2025 (Register Here) Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill and IPPS Final Rule - October 15, 2025 (Register Here) Michigan Great Lakes HFMA 2025 Annual Sponsorship (Register Here) Upcoming Education and Programming - Region 6 Northwest Ohio HFMA Mudhens Networking Night - August 13, 2025 (Register Here) Southwestern Ohio HFMA Volunteer Leadership Training Conference - August 14th, 2025 (Register Here) Northeast Ohio HFMA Networking at the Cleveland Guardians Game - August 27, 2025 2025 Biennial Tri-State Conference - Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio - September 17, 2025 - September 19, 2025 Northeast Ohio HFMA 2025 Denials Defense: What's in Your Playbook? - October 9, 2025 Southwestern Ohio HMFA Lunch & Learn - November 13, 2025 Central Ohio HFMA 2025 Holiday Gala - December 6, 2025 (Register Here) Sponsorship Opportunities We have built a sponsorship program to hopefully meet all of your needs. Our business partners are critical to our success. We value your support of our chapter and look forward to working with you in 2025 and beyond. If you need any additional items or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. Thank you for your continued support! To become a 2025 sponsor for the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter HFMA, please complete this form. Tom Matonican, Michigan Great Lakes HFMA Sponsorship Chair, tom@cbmservices.com If you no longer want to receive emails from No Campaign, please Opt-Out.