Introduction:
On this episode of the MGMA podcast, hosts Daniel Williams and Colleen Luckett discuss the importance of Autism Awareness Month and ways to better serve neurodivergent patients. They highlight an article by healthcare executive Kacha Sadeghi Chipola sharing her experience facing barriers to care as an autistic woman.

Key Takeaways:
- Neurodivergence affects one in five adults but is often misunderstood by medical professionals. This can lead to dismissive treatment and a lack of appropriate care and support.
- The healthcare environment itself can pose sensory and communication challenges for neurodivergent patients. Factors like bright lights, repetitive forms, and noise can be overwhelming.
- Providers need education on recognizing unique needs and understanding that autism presents differently in each person. Creative, patient-centered solutions are needed.
- Physician participation in compensation methodology has decreased slightly but collaborative planning remains important for alignment with practice goals.

- The latest MGMA Connection issue focuses on using data and technology to drive decision-making. It also explores topics like quality improvement, health equity, leadership, and culture.

- Transformational leadership can help organizations anticipate and lead change. Traits like idealized influence, inspiration, innovation, and individual consideration support growth.

- Networking opportunities through MGMA allow healthcare leaders to form strong relationships and bonds over shared challenges.

- Stress Awareness Month is a reminder for providers and practices to prioritize self-care and support staff well-being.

Sources:
MGMA Stat on Burnout
Women in Healthcare Podcast with Carrie Koh
MedCity News on Neurodivergent Patients

Music:
"Cool Piano" by Tagirijus courtesy of Free Music Archive, CC BY-NC-SA

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Let us know if there's a topic you want us to cover or an expert you would like us to interview. Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com. If you have a question for our Sr Advisor Cristy Good, email advisor@mgma.com.

Support for this podcast comes from ilumed
ilumed helps Medicare providers practice better medicine so they can get paid in up to three ways. Whether you’re just starting your value-based-care journey or ready to take it to the next level, ilumed can help you do more for your patients while earning more. ilumed offers simple solutions for a complicated industry. Let’s heal healthcare together. Visit ilumed.com to learn more.

Today’s podcast is also sponsored by RingCentral

RingCentral brings staff, patients, and payers together with compliant cloud communications and a modern call center on any device. A free new ebook from RingCentral and MGMA focuses specifically on the payer-provider relationship. With all-too-familiar patient reviews, must-see statistics, and a transformative case study, this eBook illustrates how easily cloud communications can bring patients, providers, and payers together. Download your copy at go.ringcentral.com/mgma-healthcare.html.