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SAVE THE DATE!

ATTENDEE REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

 

See you BACK at the Bavarian Inn of Frankenmuth MI, for our 18th Annual Expo - September 18th, 2025!


 

2025 Expo Theme COMING SOON

Select the following to be taken to that information on this page:

 


2025 MMBA Expo Info

 

*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

MMBA Code for Hotel Discount at checkout: COMING SOON

Click HERE to visit the Bavarian Inn Lodge Website.

 

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 AGENDA

7:00 - 7:45 AM Registration and Breakfast
   
7:45 - 8:00 AM Opening Remarks - Introduction by MMBA President
   
8:00 - 9:30 AM Keynote: Shannon DeConda "Leadership through Mentorship"
   
9:30 - 9:45 AM Break
   
9:45 - 10:45 AM Breakout Session 1
  1A: "Death, Disability, or Retirement. Now What?"
  1B:  "The Total on Totals"
  1C:  "HAP/HAP Caresource Updates, Portal Updates, & Overview"
   
10:45 - 11:00 AM Break
   
11:00 - 12:00 PM Breakout Session 2
  2A:  "Billing/Coding Professionals & the Pressure to Commit Fraud"
  2B:  "Primary Care/Internal Medicine: Preoperative Clearance Medical Necessity"
  2C:  "Medicaid Updates & Hot Topics"
   
12:00 - 12:30 PM Pre-Lunch & Learn
   
12:30 - 1:30 PM Lunch & Time with Vendors
   
1:30 - 2:30 PM Breakout Session 3
 

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

  3B:  "Behavioral Health Updates, Resources & Tips"
  3C:  "Meridian Health Plan Updates & Information"
   
2:30 - 2:45 PM Break - Last Opportunity with Vendors
   
2:45 - 3:45 PM Breakout Session 4
  4A: "Building Blocks of E/M: Lay the Foundation with the 5 C's & CDI"
  4B: "Innovations in Chronic Pain Management for Improved Outcomes & Increased Patient Satisfaction"
  4C: "BCBSM Updates"
   
3:45 Giveaways & Closing  Giveaways and Closing Remarks (Must be present to win.)
  6 CEU's Approved through AMBA & AAPC for attending this event! (AHIMA Accepted through their 2025 Recertification Guidelines)

 

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SESSIONS SUMMARY AND SPEAKER INFORMATION

 

2025 Speak Bios COMING SOON

 

8:00 – 9:30 am,   Keynote

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.

9:45 - 10:45 am,   1st Breakout

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: Brandon 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.

10:45 - 11:00 am,    Break

 

11:00 am - 12:00 pm,  2nd Breakout

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.

12:00-12:30 Pre-Lunch & Learn Activity

Speaker: Jill Young, CPC, CEDC, CIMC, Founder of Young Medical Consulting, LLC

Description: This interactive coding/billing session will test attendees' knowledge of today’s guidelines, rules and compliance in the coding and billing profession.

 

 

1:30 - 2:30 pm,   3rd Breakout

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.

2:30 - 2:45 pm,   Break

 

2:45 - 3:45 pm,    4th Breakout

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: Documenting, coding, billing, and reimbursement in 2024 for telehealth services may be a challenge.  Learn how to overcome common mistakes that are made when it comes to services provided using audio and visual technology in a physician/advance practice provider office.  Discover codes to assign that can support patient care beyond the end of the pandemic extension (12/31/2024) utilizing technology.  Tools, tips, and regulatory guidance will be included in this deep dive discussion!


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.

3:45pm  Giveaways & Closing Remarks

 

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/SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION for 2025:

Level Cost Benefits
Gold TBD

- Premium placement of table/booth (Limit 2 booth attendants with meals included.)
- Copy of attendee roster
- Sign with logo displayed near registration table
- Full page acknowledgement in on-site program
- Special thanks in our online newsletter (to include link to your website)
- Plus, all benefits of the Pre-promotion Sponsorship

     
Silver TBD - Table/ Booth (Limit 2 booth attendants with meals included.)
- Sign with logo displayed near registration table.
- Half page acknowledgement in on-site program
- Special thanks in our online newsletter (to include link to your website)
- Plus, all benefits of the Pre-promotion Sponsorship
     
Bronze TBD - Table/Booth (Limit 2 for booth attendants with meals included.)
- Quarter Page acknowledgement in on-site program
- Plus, all benefits of the Pre-promotion Sponsorship
     
Pre-Promotion TBD - Pre-event promotion via Social Media and member emails
- Your logo as part of the placeholder; slide that is displayed prior to the start of the Expo
- An introduction of you as our sponsor at the beginning of the Expo.
     
Additional: TBD Breakfast Sponsor
  TBD Lunch Sponsor
  TBD Snack Break Sponsor
  TBD Expo Brochure Sponsor
  TBD Name Badge Sponsor
  TBD 1/4 Page Ad in Expo Brochure ONLY

 

VENDOR REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

 

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AAPC-logo

AMBA Approved CEU Image AHIMA Approved CEU Image
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.