05/25/2023

Join Us for Our 18th Annual MMBA Fall Expo!

September 18th, 2025

MMBA's 18th Annual Expo 2025!!

WHERE:  Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth MI

WHEN:    September 18th, 2025

Select the BOLD ORANGE words to be taken to more info on this page.

Links to information are listed below underlined:

• HOTEL

  • Hotel Information and MMBA Discount Reservations

    • Bavarian Inn Lodge/Hotel Reservations Website Link HERE

• AGENDA 

  • Agenda Information

    • 2025 MMBA Expo Timeline & Information

• SPEAKER

  • Speaker Information

    • 2025 Expo Speakers Bios - HERE!

• Attendee Registration - OPEN - REGISTER HERE!

• VENDOR/Sponsorship

  • Vendor & Sponsorship Information

    • EXPO 2025 Preferred Sponsorship Application - PRINTABLE PDF

*Breakfast, lunch, and beverages will be provided!

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HOTEL RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION:

Bavarian Inn Lodge

1 Covered Bridge Ln,

Frankenmuth, MI 48734

Hotel link takes you to an MMBA discount rate page – NO CODE NEEDED

Click HERE to visit the Bavarian Inn Lodge Website.

**Please register for your hotel sooner than later - we have a very limited number of blocked rooms available. Additionally, with the opening of their new waterpark, waiting times and bookings have dramatically increased.

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2025 Expo Speakers Bios

Keynote: "Leadership through Mentorship"

Speaker: Shannon DeConda CPC, CEMC, CEMA, CPMA, CRTT, President & Founder of NAMAS, Partner of DoctorsManagement

Description: Join this session to learn how good communication and mentorship can make you a better leader and boost your team’s performance. Shannon will share her own experiences and practical tips on listening, giving feedback, and coaching. Discover how to build trust, drive excellence, and support growth in your billing team. You’ll leave with tools to empower your team and create a positive impact on your organization.

Session 1A: "Death, Disability, or Retirement. Now what?"

Speaker: Lori-Ann Rickard, Attorney at Law, Founder of Rickard & Associates, PC, CPC, Author

Description: It is essential to prepare your practice for the worst-case scenarios, before they arise. This presentation will discuss how to protect your practice before it’s too late.  

Session 1B: "The Total on Totals"

Speaker: Branden Chavez, CPC, COSC

Description: In this presentation, we will be going over total joints and how to code them. This includes Shoulder (Regular and Reverse), Elbow, Hip, Knee and Ankle. We will also cover changing of an antibiotic spacer, resection arthroplasties, revisions, and common issues surrounding total joints.

Session 1C: "HAP/HAP Caresource Updates, Portal Updates, and Overview"

Speaker: Suzanne Kayner, Manager of Provider Services at HAP/HAP Caresource

Description: The HAP/HAP Caresource presentation will focus on information pertaining to HAP/HAP Caresource JV and other HAP subsidiaries; general updates; and a portal overview.

Session 2A: "Billing/Coding Professionals and the Pressure to Commit Fraud"

Speaker: Lori-Ann Rickard, Attorney at Law, Founder of Rickard & Associates, PC, CPC, Author

Description: This presentation will discuss why compliance is so important, even despite mounting pressures. It will share helpful ways to respond to pressure to commit fraud. 

Session 2B: "Primary Care/Internal Medicine: Preoperative Clearance Medical Necessity"

Speaker: Shannon DeConda CPC, CEMC, CEMA, CPMA, CRTT, President & Founder of NAMAS, Partner of DoctorsManagement

Description: Fact: Not all preoperative clearances are billable. While initial claim submissions may result in reimbursement, a documentation review could reveal a lack of medical necessity. To ensure appropriate reimbursement for preoperative services, it’s crucial to properly document the surgeon’s request and the medical necessity supporting the service.

During this session, we will discuss how to identify billable preoperative services, ensure proper documentation, and avoid potential denials or recoupments. Learn best practices to safeguard your claims and maintain compliance.

Session 2C: "Medicaid Updates and Hot Topics"

Speaker: Nicole Salava, Provider Analyst within Provider Relations for Medicaid

Description: The presentation will cover Medicaid updates, along with hot topics. At the end of the presentation, Nicole will allow time for questions and answers. Nicole is unable to answer any claim or beneficiary specific questions, but those can be emailed to ProviderSupport@michigan.gov after the presentation.

Session 3A: "Preparing for & Defending Against Payor Audits: Tips & Strategies to Increase Success"

Speaker: Jenna Godlewski, Of Counsel, Company: Maynard, Nexsen PC

Description: This webinar will focus on providing tools to prevent and defend payor audits. Audits conducted by commercial and managed care payors, as well as state and federal prosecutors, will be discussed. Website links will be provided that identify the current audit focus of these auditors as well. The webinar will also provide tips on how to organize and submit the documentation requested at the beginning of a payer audit and strategies on how to analyze and defend payor audits using LCDs, clinical tools, statutes and regulations, payor policies and case law. Finally, proactive compliance and preventive measures will be examined to assist healthcare providers with avoiding being the target of a payor audit.

Session 3B: "Behavioral Health Updates, Resources & Tips"

Speaker: Penny Yost, Provider Engagement Consultant for BCBSM

Description: This presentation will focus on mental health related topics including important contacts, resources that provide current information, and educational opportunities.

Session 3C: "Meridian Health Plan Updates and Information"

Speaker: Kelly Price and Michael Jagielski, Provider Network Specialist II, Meridian Health Plan

Description: The goal of Meridian’s presentation is to educate providers of any recent or upcoming changes, discuss the basics of claims, appeals, vendors and authorizations, and lastly provide the insight regarding our Provider’s Portal and Provider Relations Inquiry Form.

Session 4A: "Presentation 4A: "Building Blocks of E/M: Lay the Foundation with the 5 C’s & CDI"

Speaker:  R. Temple Dunlop CPC, CRC, CADS, CDI Specialist at University of Michigan Health System

Description: We will revisit the E/M documentation basics, rediscover the 5 C’s, and build a solid foundation based on guidelines.

Session 4B: "Innovations in Chronic Pain Management for Improved Outcomes & Increased Patient Satisfaction"

Speaker:  Christine Lesser, Pain Management Educator

Description: This session will introduce you to advances in chronic pain management that are efficacious, safe and affordable. Patient compliance is enhanced, and patient satisfaction increases when you move beyond some of the traditional treatments and medications and adopt these novel modalities. You’ll be able to leave prior authorizations behind with some of these pain management medications and treatments! Devote more time to your patients and less time to insurance companies.

Session 4C: "BCBSM Updates"

Speaker:  Heather Peterson, Provider Engagement Consultant for BCBSM

Description: This presentation will focus on general Blue Cross updates and will include a demonstration on how to navigate key provider resource pages.

Price for Expo Registrations are the following:

• Members - $229 per person

• Non-Members - $279 per person

• Student Discount - (Email info@mmbaonline.org - Proof of student status/enrollment required)

*All registrations are non-refundable. In certain situations, a substitution may be allowed. Please contact the MMBA office for more information at info@mmbaonline.org

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VENDOR REGISTRATION AVAILABLE HERE!!!

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This program has the prior approval of AAPC for 6.0 continuing education hours. Granting of prior approval in no way constitutes endorsement by AAPC of the program content or the program sponsor. AMBA and AHIMA Approved for 6.0 continuing education hours. (AHIMA CEU accepted under their 2025 Recertification Guidelines.) MMBA Disclaimer: This event was created by presenters focused on Michigan rules and policies. These may vary from state to state. Always be sure to verify with your state specific payers if you are not a Michigan provider. Expo fees are non-refundable! Please alert MMBA Admin Assistant at (855) 360-3401, at least seven days before the event if unable to attend. MMBA will allow substitutions for Expo; however, you must contact MMBA Admin Assistant to arrange a substitute.