{"podcast":{"title":"MGMA Podcasts","slug":"mgma-podcasts-220052","podcast_index_feed_id":220052,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/mgma-podcasts","website_url":"https://www.mgma.com/podcasts","image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/iBtmjVpU9D29VjqAfLGs2U3Us-t9jy7tYp_kNWTYmW0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yZWEz/ZWU5NmM0NTlmNWVj/Mjk1YjBkYjhmZTk0/MTA2YS5qcGc.jpg","author":"MGMA","episode_count":770,"summary":"Welcome to the MGMA Podcast Network, your gateway to insightful discussions and expert analysis on key topics in healthcare management. Dive into a diverse array of shows tailored to meet the interests and needs of healthcare professionals like you. Explore the experiences and perspectives of trailblazing women in healthcare on \"Women in Healthcare,\" or discover innovative strategies and solutions for your practice on \"Business Solutions.\" Stay updated on the latest industry trends and news with \"Week in Review,\" and gain valuable insights from industry leaders and MGMA members on \"Member Spotlight.\" Don't miss our flagship show, \"MGMA Insights,\" where we delve deep into the most pressing issues facing healthcare organizations today. Whether you're seeking inspiration, practical advice, or in-depth analysis, the MGMA Podcast Network is your trusted companion on your journey towards excellence in healthcare management. Tune in and join the conversation today!","last_synced_at":"2026-07-15T14:18:46.381160+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/mgma-podcasts-220052"},"episode":{"title":"Negotiating Beyond the Rate — A Conversation with Kevin Barron on Payer Strategy, AI, and Playing the Long Game","slug":"negotiating-beyond-the-rate-a-conversation-with-kevin-barron-on-payer-strategy-ai-and-playing-the-long-game","published_at":"2026-06-24T05:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/mgma-podcasts-220052/negotiating-beyond-the-rate-a-conversation-with-kevin-barron-on-payer-strategy-ai-and-playing-the-long-game","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/mgma-podcasts-220052","url":"https://mgma-podcasts.transistor.fm/771","audio_url":"https://media.transistor.fm/7eacd93f/f59c1343.mp3","summary":"On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast Network , host and senior editor Daniel Williams sits down with Kevin Barron , vice president of payer relations at University Health in San Antonio. The conversation explores the realities of payer contracting, from aligning internal priorities to navigating underpayments and denials, along with how integrated contracting and revenue cycle strategies can drive better outcomes. Barron also shares how AI is reshaping contract review workflows and why relationships — not just numbers — define success at the negotiating table ... with a few fun detours into Spurs basketball and Disney along the way. Key Takeaways: Rates aren’t the whole story — While reimbursement rates matter, contract language, policies, and operational requirements often have a greater long-term financial impact. Consistency across stakeholders is critical — Successful negotiations begin with internal alignment across finance, physicians, and operations on what truly matters. Live the contract after signing — Negotiations may take months, but organizations must manage and monitor performance for years afterward. An integrated approach strengthens results — Combining contracting, auditing, and contract management under revenue cycle enables better accountability and performance tracking. Underpayments often stem from outdated data — Frequent payer fee schedule updates require constant monitoring and system alignment to prevent payment discrepancies. Denials management requires proactive strategy — Grouping, trending, and assigning accountability for denials can help identify root causes and drive improvement. Relationships drive negotiation success — Understanding payer constraints and communication styles leads to more productive, balanced agreements. AI is…","meta_description":"On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast Network , host and senior editor Daniel Williams sits down with Kevin Barron , vice president of payer relati…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1579,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/mgma-podcasts-220052/episodes/negotiating-beyond-the-rate-a-conversation-with-kevin-barron-on-payer-strategy-ai-and-playing-the-long-game/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/mgma-podcasts-220052/negotiating-beyond-the-rate-a-conversation-with-kevin-barron-on-payer-strategy-ai-and-playing-the-long-game.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}