Biographies
Maryann C. Palmeter, C.P.C., C.C.P.
Associate Director
As the associate director, Maryann is the primary contact for inquiries concerning billing regulations or reports of non-compliance and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of Physician Billing Compliance. She also ensures the timely and relevant performance of routine, baseline, expansion and investigatory reviews of physician and non-physician practitioner billing and documentation practices. Compliance reviews are performed in accordance with the UF College of Medicine Jacksonville Billing Compliance Plan and follow established audit protocols and methodologies. Maryann manages a staff of 11 full-time employees, including one lead compliance analyst, two focused review analysts, four compliance analysts, three research assistants and one administrative assistant. In addition, she collaborates with the director of compliance/general counsel, departmental compliance leaders, and key Faculty Group Practice management to develop educational materials, controls, mechanisms and procedures for improving compliance with federal and state regulations pertaining to billing for professional services.
Maryann became a Certified Professional Coder with the American Academy of Professional Coders in 1998 and became certified by the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Compliance Institute as a Certified Compliance Professional in 2002.
Prior to joining the Faculty Practice Group, Maryann was employed for 9 years with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida in the Medicare Part B Division. During her tenure with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Maryann developed an extensive knowledge of Medicare Part B claims processing, reimbursement and medical policy guidelines. She held various supervisory level positions in operational, analytical and educational areas within the Medicare Part B Division. She is currently working toward a degree in health care administration.
Pamela Ivey, C.P.C., C.C.P.
Lead Compliance Analyst
As lead compliance analyst, Pam is responsible for performing physician coding/documentation reviews for providers of the UF Jacksonville Physicians Group. Her audit focus is on physician/non-physician practitioner coding (CPT-4 and ICD-9) and chart documentation (E&M, procedural, diagnosis, and teaching physician guidelines). She prepares and presents reports of audit findings to appropriate faculty and billing personnel, as well as identifies remedial training needs through the audit process and if necessary conducts remedial training with the providers. In addition, Pam is responsible for assisting the manager with training staff on job duties and workflow processes. She handles project overflow from the manager and is instrumental in maintaining deadlines for audit completion. Another role for Pam is contributing to the internal quality assurance process by reviewing the work product of assigned analysts to ensure accuracy, consistency and clarity in the information communicated. This includes verifying that Audit Program protocol is adhered to. Pam also handles daily personnel issues and participates in tracking the completion of various projects within the Office of Compliance.
Pam Ivey became a Certified Professional Coder with the American Academy of Professional Coders in August 2000. She also attained the title of Certified Compliance Professional from the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Compliance Institute in 2002.
Pam has over 30 years experience in the health care industry and is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders.
Ophelia M. Johnson, C.P.C., C.C.P.
Physician Billing Compliance Focused Review Analyst
In her current position, she is involved in retrospective reviews, as well as teaches Medicare, Florida Medicaid and Georgia Medicaid federal and state guidelines. She was initially involved in the Physician Shadowing Program to educate physicians. She has developed documentation templates and has applied statistical formulas and methodologies for investigatory reviews.
She is now a Certified Professional Coder with the American Academy of Professional Coders and also became certified by the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Compliance Institute as a Certified Compliance Professional in 2002. OJ has attended many seminars and workshops that keep her informed of the many changes in Medicare, Medicaid and Georgia Medicaid teaching guidelines.
OJ graduated from Daytona Beach Junior College with an associate's degree. OJ completed the Georgia medical assistants program with honors. In addition, she completed her medical terminology, ICD-9 and CPT courses at Florida Community College at Jacksonville, North campus.
John D. Lee, C.P.C., C.C.P.
Physician Billing Compliance Focused Review Analyst
As a compliance focused review analyst, John is responsible for performing extensive, focused physician and non-physician practitioner coding/documentation reviews for providers of the UF Jacksonville Physician Group. His audit focus is on physician/non-physician practitioner coding (CPT-4 and ICD-9) and chart documentation (E&M, procedural, diagnosis, teaching physician guidelines and carrier specific medical policies). He performs statistical sampling, prepares and presents reports of audit findings and coordinates with appropriate faculty and billing personnel to ensure that any resulting refunds are processed and educational needs are addressed.
John became a Certified Professional Coder with the American Academy of Professional coders in 2003 and a Certified Compliance Professional by the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Compliance Institute in 2004. He is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders and currently serves as an officer for the Jacksonville Beach Chapter. John is also involved with Toastmasters International, an organization that promotes and enhances public speaking skills for its members, and serves as an officer with a local club.
His previous experience includes various analyst, consultant and managerial positions with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida. John has a bachelor's of science degree from Southern Connecticut State College and has completed 64 graduate level credits in health administration and epidemiology at Yale University's School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health.
Sue Stack, C.P.C., C.C.P.
Physician Billing Compliance Analyst
As a physician billing compliance analyst, Sue is responsible for performing physician coding/documentation reviews for providers of the UF Jacksonville Physicians, Inc. Her audit focus is on physician/non-physician practitioner coding (CPT-4 and ICD-9) and chart documentation (E&M, procedural, diagnosis and teaching physician guidelines). She prepares and presents reports of audit findings to appropriate faculty and billing personnel. She also identifies remedial training needs through the audit process and if necessary, conducts remedial training with the providers.
Sue became a Certified Professional Coder in December 2000 and is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders. She also was certified by the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Compliance Institute as a Certified Compliance Professional in December 2004. Sue is actively involved in Toastmasters International, an organization that promotes and enhances public speaking skills for its members.
Sue has over 14 years experience in billing, claims examining and inpatient and outpatient coding with various medical practices. She graduated from Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY, where she earned a bachelor's of arts degree.
Susan Gregory, C.P.C.
Physician Billing Compliance Analyst
In her current role, Susan is responsible for performing physician coding/documentation reviews for providers of the UF Jacksonville Physicians, Inc. Her audit focus is on physician/non-physician practitioner coding (CPT-4 and ICD-9) and chart documentation (E&M, procedural, diagnosis and teaching physician guidelines). She prepares and presents reports of audit findings to appropriate faculty and billing personnel. She also identifies remedial training needs through the audit process and if necessary, conducts remedial training with the providers.
Susan became a Certified Professional Coder in April 2000 and is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders. Susan is actively involved in Toastmasters International, an organization that promotes and enhances public speaking skills for its members, and is the current treasurer of the UF and Shands Toastmasters Club.
Prior to coming to the UF Jacksonville Healthcare, Inc., Susan worked for Orlando Regional Healthcare System where she preformed various coding, billing, educational and charge capture functions for a group of general, trauma, burn and plastic surgeons, as well as the colon and rectal fellowship program. Susan has over 18 years experience in billing claims examining and inpatient and outpatient coding with various medical practices.
Mavis Wiley, C.P.C.
Physician Billing Compliance Analyst
As a physician billing compliance analyst, Mavis is responsible for performing physician coding/documentation reviews for providers of the UF Jacksonville Physicians, Inc. Her audit focus is on physician/non-physician practitioner coding (CPT-4 and ICD-9) and chart documentation (E&M, procedural, diagnosis and teaching physician guidelines). She prepares and presents reports of audit findings to appropriate faculty and billing personnel, as well as identifies remedial training needs through the audit process and if necessary, conducts remedial training with the providers.
She became a Certified Professional Coder in January 2002 and is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders.
Mavis has 20 years experience in the medical billing field, which includes, billing, claims examiner, claims processing, patient and physician claims customer service with various insurance carriers and inpatient and outpatient coding with UF Jacksonville Physicians, Inc.
Catalina Agustin, CPC
Physician Billing Compliance Analyst
Catalina Agustin, CPC, began her career with University of Florida Jacksonville Physicians, Inc. in 1995 in the Medicare Follow-Up and Collections Department. She was promoted to the position of physician billing resource specialist/coder and worked for the Office of Compliance performing inpatient physician chart extraction and compliance reviews for several different medical specialties. Due to organizational structuring in 1999, she was transferred to Business Group Operations where she was promoted to Physician Billing Coder - Level 2 for the Emergency Medicine Business Group. She was promoted in November 2006 to the position of physician billing compliance analyst with the University of Florida Jacksonville Healthcare, Inc.
Prior to coming to the University of Florida Jacksonville Healthcare, Inc., Catalina worked at an orthopaedic practice where she performed various coding, billing and collection functions. Catalina earned a bachelor's degree in business management through Feati University in the Phillipines. She is a certified nursing assistant and is licensed in the state of Virginia as a life and health insurance consultant. Catalina became a certified professional coder (CPC) in 2001 and is a member of the American Academy of Professional Coders. Catalina has more than 18 years experience in the health care industry.
As a physician billing compliance analyst, Catalina is responsible for performing physician coding/documentation reviews for providers of UFJPI. Her audit focus is on physician/non-physician practitioner coding (CPT-4 and ICD-9) and chart documentation (E&M, Procedural, Diagnosis and Teaching Physician Guidelines). She prepares and presents reports of audit findings to appropriate faculty and billing personnel. She also identifies remedial training needs through the audit process and if necessary, conducts remedial training with the providers.
Michelle Sibley
Research Assistant
Michelle's current role as research assistant places her responsible for performing random sample selection of charges to be reviewed for billing compliance. She is also responsible for retrieving medical record documentation and charge capture information for the compliance analysts to review. She retrieves billing documentation on campus and off campus, in satellite offices and other patient care locations, as well as researches charge information via the IDX billing system and medical records via the Shands Jacksonville HBO system. She performs periodic sanctions checks on all providers via the Office of Inspector General's Web site and maintains the Office of Compliance "master provider list" to ensure all providers are reviewed for compliance according to the audit work plan.
She attended the University of South Florida and Florida Community College at Jacksonville where she studied computer science.
Broderick Smith
Research Assistant
As the research assistant, he is responsible for retrieving medical records documentation and charge capture information for the analysts to review. Broderick's position requires him to review charts on campus and off campus, in satellite offices and other patient care locations. He also researches charge information via the IDX billing system and medical records, and the HBO system.
Broderick worked 10 years as a computer aided drafting operator for several engineering firms, which included over 6 years in health information management. In 1996, he was offered a position as a medical records clerk in the Medical Records Department at Saint Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL. He has held several positions focusing on the release of information and claims processing in South Florida and Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the Office of Compliance, Broderick was employed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida as a claims examiner/service associate. He also attended Florida Community College at Jacksonville where he studied drafting and design technology.
Jeneice Mote
Research Assistant
Jeneice was introduced to the medical field in 1997 as a senior clerk/team lead with the Department of Health. She was also employed previously with Baptist Medical Center. Jeneice has over 9 years of experience in the health care field with extensive experience in the health information management area.
Jeneice began her career at the University of Florida Jacksonville Healthcare, Inc. in 2005 when she was hired as a health information management associate.
In 2006, Jeneice joined the Office of Physician Billing Compliance. She is responsible for obtaining documentation for billing compliance review purposes from both on-site and off-site facilities, researching and compiling charge capture information, sorting charge universe reports, and selecting required samples for compliance reviews. Jeneice coordinates with UFJPI/HI practice plan personnel, tracks completion of compliance reviews by provider and incorporates the results into a central database.
Jeneice attended Florida Community College at Jacksonville where she studied office occupations.
Lavetta Jones
Executive Assistant
Previously, Lavetta worked as a paralegal/gift planning administrator with The Cleveland Foundation and as a paralegal in the Trust Department of Key Bank. Lavetta earned an associate of science degree from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor's of science degree from Dyke College in Cleveland, Ohio.
Katrice Suarez
Administrative Assistant
Katrice Suarez is employed as the administrative assistant to the associate director of physician billing compliance. She began working for the organization in June 2006.
Katrice has been a Jacksonville area resident for twenty years and was previously employed as an administrative assistant and data integrity specialist with the grocery chain Winn-Dixie. She welcomes the opportunity to learn and grow in the medical field. She also looks forward to continuing her education at Florida Community College at Jacksonville to obtain an AS degree in the field of health care, possibly nursing.