Ep. 38 AI in Coding: A Conversation with Dr. Greg Hobbs

In this episode of 'For the Love of Revenue Cycle,' host Vanessa welcomes Dr. Greg Hobbs, the Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Milagro, a provider of autonomous coding solutions for healthcare. Dr. Hobbs discusses his background as an emergency physician, his journey through the academic and IT sectors, and his subsequent focus on healthcare technology. The conversation delves into the challenges and benefits of adopting technology in healthcare, particularly autonomous coding. They explore physicians' skepticism towards AI, the need for transparency in automated systems, and the importance of finding the right vendor for technology solutions. Dr. Hobbs highlights the necessity of real-time coding to avoid preauthorization mismatches and enhance efficiency. Emphasizing a partnership approach with technology providers, the discussion underscores the value of integrating smart software with human expertise to optimize healthcare workflows. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:20 Dr. Greg Hobbs' Background and Experience 01:37 Challenges with Technology Adoption in Healthcare 03:54 Importance of Accurate Coding 04:37 Addressing Skepticism and Legal Responsibilities 08:30 Autonomous vs Automated Coding 11:35 Real-Time Coding and Preauthorization 15:55 Integration and Implementation Challenges 19:03 Vendor Selection and Partnership 22:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts