Jennifer Cavagnac
Amherst,MA
Summary
Dynamic healthcare leader with a proven track record at Baystate Health, excelling in strategic planning and regulatory compliance. Spearheaded innovative process improvements, enhancing operational efficiency and patient experience. Expert in cross-functional team leadership and data analysis, fostering collaboration and driving compliance initiatives that significantly reduced risk exposure.
Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Brings positive attitude and commitment to continuous learning and growth.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Clinical Documentation Integrity
Baystate Health
Springfield, MA
05.2013 - 06.2026
- Directed department operations, aligning workflows with healthcare objectives and regulatory requirements.
- Led cross-functional teams to improve care coordination, service delivery, and staff accountability.
- Oversaw budget planning, resource allocation, and expense control for sustained operational performance.
- Implemented process improvements to strengthen quality, efficiency, and patient experience.
- Collaborated with physicians, administrators, and clinical leaders on strategic initiatives.
- Developed staff through coaching, performance feedback, and role-specific guidance.
- Evaluated operational data to identify trends, resolve issues, and support executive decisions.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Implemented innovative solutions to solve complex problems, resulting in increased productivity and streamlined operations.
- Proactively identified potential risks and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize negative impacts on projects or business operations.
- Transformed organizational culture to embrace continuous improvement, leading by example and mentoring teams.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making by implementing advanced analytics and reporting tools.
Inpatient Coding Compliance Manager
Baystate Health
Springfield, MA
10.2010 - 05.2013
- Directed compliance audits across healthcare operations, identifying policy gaps and strengthening corrective action tracking.
- Oversaw HIPAA and regulatory investigations, coordinating responses and documenting findings for leadership review.
- Developed compliance training materials supporting privacy, ethics, and reporting requirements for clinical staff.
- Reviewed federal and state regulations to update internal policies and maintain alignment with healthcare standards.
- Monitored departmental adherence to CMS, Joint Commission, and internal compliance expectations.
- Led process improvements that increased consistency in reporting, documentation, and issue escalation.
- Managed compliance efforts, reporting and audits.
- Reviewed documents, files, transcripts, and other records to assess compliance and potential risk.
- Reduced risk exposure for the company by identifying and addressing areas of noncompliance.
- Developed and delivered training programs to inform new and current employees about compliance issues.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to establish clear compliance guidelines and expectations for all departments.
- Monitored emerging trends in regulatory requirements, anticipating potential impacts on the organization''s operations.
- Prepared and presented comprehensive reports to upper management and audit team, covering issues and recommendations.
- Oversaw a team of compliance professionals, providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure their continued growth and development.
- Conducted thorough internal audits to ensure adherence to regulatory standards and best practices.
- Spearheaded adaptation of new compliance frameworks, keeping organization ahead in regulatory compliance.
- Improved audit outcomes by establishing continuous improvement plan for compliance practices.
- Performed regular compliance reviews and audits, identifying non-compliance issues.
Inpatient Coder/Interventional Radiology Coder
Baystate Health
Springfield, MA
05.2001 - 10.2010
- Assigned accurate ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT codes for inpatient encounters using encoder and EHR systems.
- Reviewed clinical documentation to validate principal diagnoses, procedures, and severity of illness.
- Applied UHDDS and official coding guidelines to support compliant inpatient code selection.
- Queried providers to clarify incomplete documentation and resolve coding discrepancies.
- Strengthened relationships between coders and clinical staff through regular engagement meetings, fostering a collaborative approach to patient care documentation.
- Increased job satisfaction among peers by fostering a positive work environment that encouraged collaboration, support, and open communication among team members.
- Enhanced the accuracy of medical coding by consistently reviewing and validating medical records for inpatient services.
- Ensured data integrity within electronic health record systems by routinely monitoring input quality and promptly addressing any discrepancies discovered during audits.
- Contributed to revenue optimization through diligent assignment of appropriate diagnostic and procedural codes.
- Played a key role in process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity within the coding department without sacrificing accuracy or compliance standards.
- Streamlined workflow processes by collaborating with other coders, physicians, and healthcare professionals to ensure accurate documentation.
- Upheld ethical standards in all aspects of work responsibilities through strict adherence to AHIMA Code of Ethics and professional practice guidelines.
- Acted as a subject matter expert on inpatient coding by consulting with other departments within the organization on code assignments and documentation requirements.
- Developed comprehensive reference materials for use by the coding team, ensuring easy access to essential information and resources related to inpatient coding best practices.
- Reviewed, analyzed, and managed coding of diagnostic and treatment procedures contained in outpatient medical records.
- Reviewed outpatient records and interpreted documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures.
- Utilized active listening, interpersonal, and telephone etiquette skills when communicating with others.
- Followed up with medical staff regarding missing information in patient records.
- Reviewed medical records to assign accurate ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS, and ICD-10-PCS codes.
- Validated documentation against payer guidelines, coding edits, and compliance requirements.
Education
Health Information Management
CUNY
New York, NYCertificate of Coding - Health Care Management
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MASkills
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
- Decision-making
Accomplishments
Directed Coding and Clinical Documentation Integrity programs for Level 1 Acute Care Trauma Center, NICU, and its three community hospitals. Hired and trained over 30 coders and clinical staff for one of the most skilled and culturally diverse teams in the organization.
Improved query productivity by 20% during Covid with successful implementation of physician query application simultaneously during emergent work from home requirement.
Authored "The Essential Guide to Provider Queries" in partnership with Marion Kruse. Sponsored by ACDIS, published by HCPRO. 2016
Created workflows and collaborated with Department of Healthcare Quality to effectively monitor and reduce HACs and PSIs. Member of multidisciplinary the pressure ulcer taskforce.
Facilitator and speaker at the New England Regional ACDIS/AHIMA symposium, October 2015 and 2016
Coding expert in diverse specialties including Cardiac and Neurology surgeries and interventions, Maternity and Neonates.
ICD-10 Train the trainer.
Knowledgeable in MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignments.
Proficient in 3M/Solventum, Cerner/Oracle, Iodine/Waystar applications, MS Office, MS Teams, and Zoom. Familiarity with AI tools and presentation design applications.
Timeline
Director Clinical Documentation Integrity
Baystate Health
05.2013 - 06.2026
Inpatient Coding Compliance Manager
Baystate Health
10.2010 - 05.2013
Inpatient Coder/Interventional Radiology Coder
Baystate Health
05.2001 - 10.2010
Health Information Management
CUNY
Certificate of Coding - Health Care Management
Holyoke Community College