For many, COVID-19 forced an answer to the question, "Can I work from home?" Even though many business leaders were not necessarily on board with the change, the risks of COVID-19 forced businesses to put in place platforms that enable remote work. As a result, companies began sending employees home and both physician groups and hospitals followed suit wherever possible.
While clinical staff had to find ways to remain safe in the workplace, revenue cycle management staff were sent home to work remotely. At first, the benefits of maintaining a healthy staff outweighed the costs of transitioning to remote work; however, even post-pandemic, the decision will have lasting effects as employees ask for permanent changes.
Because of the growing threats of COVID-19, companies have been faced with the responsibility to prioritize the health of employees and shift to a remote working environment. This shift has spread horizontally into nearly every industry sector, including one of the most stressed: healthcare. While essential clinical staff among physician groups and hospitals find the means to remain safe and present in the workplace, other more "versatile" departments within healthcare organizations have been shifted to work remotely from home. What remains to be seen is how the transition of revenue cycle management staff to a remote working environment will impact policies and decisions over the long term.
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