What?
RCA Next is a ground-up redesign of the Revenue Cycle Analytics net revenue reporting solution. The impetus behind redesign was the need to bring new features to market, improve performance, and simplify the user experience. Of the many enhancements, these are four of the most significant:
- Improved performance and feature deployment that means less time waiting for reports to render and not waiting for RCA software upgrades.
- Automations that reduce time users spend on administration while leaving more time to produce actionable insights.
- Fully redesigned month-end close workflow, including the ability to perform sensitivity analyses and automate time-consuming manual adjustments while eliminating hundreds of mouse clicks.
- Enhanced reporting and analytics with a new report builder and report editor, giving users control of their reporting experience.
When?
RCA Next is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2024. Several steps are required between now and then to convert from RCA to RCA Next. Starting to prepare sooner rather than later is paramount to reserve your place in the conversion queue.
How?
The conversion process to RCA Next is multipronged. As an initial step, Kodiak specialists will conduct a conversion assessment with each client organization. The migration of historical data and conversion of legacy file specifications to new file specifications is a chief priority before converting to RCA Next. The conversion team will begin the assessment by evaluating current data feeds and identifying gaps in legacy data. The team also will consider any necessary changes to data elements, such as facility structure, accuracy of current data fields, and the need to develop additional data files. During this time, discussions about the conversion timeline and resource needs will also take place.
After the initial assessment, the conversion will follow five phases:
- Phase one: Mapping. The team will determine how best to use existing mapping from RCA in the conversion and will obtain client approval for intended mapping extracts.
- Phase two: Daily file conversion. Current RCA file specifications will be updated to meet the new RCA Next file specifications. During this time, files that are new to RCA Next will be created. Existing and new file types will be validated and reconciled.
- Phase three: Historical data extraction. Historical monthly reserve analysis (MRA) and variance analysis (VA) storage data will be extracted from RCA. This data will be used in RCA Next for continuity purposes and to assist with trending reporting and audit support.
- Phase four: Migration to RCA Next. The migration to RCA Next occurs, including creation of the automated daily file loading package and configuration of data customizations.
- Phase five: Post-migration quality assurance and training. Comparison of MRA and VA data in RCA versus RCA Next will occur during this phase. In addition, RCA Next clients will receive extensive product training on the application’s features and functionality. Once the parties are comfortable with the results of comparing RCA and RCA Next and all data has been successfully migrated, Kodiak will decommission the legacy RCA environment.
Take these steps now
Moving through each conversion phase will take time. Organizations planning to make the conversion to RCA Next will want to start early and consider other projects that might consume scarce IT resources. To begin the conversion process, clients will need to meet with Kodiak specialists to start important discussions regarding:
- Technical road map. Discussion topics will include project scope and timeline, resource assignment and allocation, and any internal projects that might affect resource availability and the conversion to RCA Next. This step is an ideal time for clients to consider what they want their reporting and analytics future to look like and how Kodiak can help further improve outcomes for the organization.
- Information security reviews. Security reviews are an important component of any conversion to a new application, especially for clients moving from an on-premises application to a cloud-based solution. These reviews are robust and take time – anywhere from two weeks to three months depending on the size and scope of the organization and resource availability, which underscores the importance of starting the conversion process early.
- Software as a service contract. Current RCA clients have implemented the solution on a legacy master services agreement contract. Throughout the conversion process to RCA Next, these contracts will be updated, so it will be necessary to plan for the considerable amount of time it can take to work contracts through the legal process. As a result, starting in Q4 of 2023 is essential to be on track for a Q2 2024 migration to RCA Next.
- Day-forward file specification conversions. This is the point at which the previously mentioned six phases have been completed and new deliverables are produced.
Reserve your place in line
More than 1,800 hospitals and 200,000 healthcare providers using RCA will convert to RCA Next before sunsetting the current version of RCA. There’s no time like the present to begin the conversation and prepare for migration to take advantage of all the benefits RCA Next has to offer. Reserve your place in line – contact us today to get started.
