ATLANTA - Aug. 18, 2014 - McKesson Business Performance Services' (McKesson) in-depth knowledge of the St. Louis radiology market - coupled with the company's unique combination of people, process and technology -- were instrumental in South County Radiologists, Inc. decision to select McKesson for revenue cycle management services.

McKesson will provide the St. Louis-based imaging group with coding, billing, claims administration, denial management and managed care contracting support. McKesson will assist with South County's day-to-day financial management, including payroll, accounts payable and P&L statements. The practice expects the agreement will help result in increased revenue, faster collections, reduced write-offs and stronger regulatory compliance.

Jeffrey Judd, MD, president of South County, said "McKesson's extensive presence in the St. Louis market and understanding of the local payer community will help the group secure optimal contracting rates and terms." In addition, he said, "the regional benchmarking that McKesson can provide will help give the group insight into compensation, costs and other financial variables to better manage their practice."

"McKesson is exceptionally well-qualified to meet a range of needs for our practice," Judd said. "Their revenue cycle expertise, local market knowledge, technological capabilities, and perhaps most importantly, the expertise and professionalism of their people, made selecting them an easy choice for us. They came highly recommended by multiple peers in our area, and we look forward to working with them to strengthen our practice and overcome the challenges that all radiology practices face today."

South County is a hospital-based independent practice affiliated with St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis. The 14-physician group averages about 265,000 procedures annually. McKesson will process the group's claims through their processing facility in Peoria, Ill. The McKesson financial manager and client manager responsible for working with South County will both be St. Louis-based.

Pat Leonard, president of McKesson Business Performance Services, said the company's expanding footprint in the St. Louis market reflects rapid changes in the radiology market.

"Radiology continues to experience a convergence of operational challenges, including changing reimbursement models, increased competition and greater regulation," Leonard said. "Dealing with these issues can exceed the resources and capabilities of many internal billing operations and third-party billing vendors. At McKesson, we've created a full-service billing and financial partner that can help groups stay ahead in today's unforgiving marketplace."

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