Payment denials and delays are a common occurrence with an estimated 9% of charges ($262 billion) are initially denied. This article, published in The Hospitalist, provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare payment system, revenue cycle management and types of denials, and outlines the role of physician advisors and hospitalists in preventing and combating denials.

Dr. Marina Farah and Dr. Kranthi Sitammagari offer expert analysis of the plenary and updates on sepsis sessions at the Hospitalist Medicine 2019 Conference.