Nicole Zuccaro
Surprise,AZ
Summary
Persistent leader eager to lead and grow organizations. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication with a good understanding of business principles, project management, and team leadership. Collaborative with a relentless work ethic. Driven and strategic with a focus on end results. High level of integrity and confidence that reassures. Diverse execution management and delivery of ROI through ingenious problem solving, swift execution, and superior level of accountability in taking calculated risks.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director (CEO)
Avenir Behavioral Hospital
04.2021 - Current
- Ensured compliance with AZDHS, CMS, and Joint Commission
- Approved and enforced facility operational procedures, policies, and standards.
- Grew productivity exponentially by planning, organizing, and directing resources.
- Engaged positively with staff and leadership colleagues, soliciting and encouraging feedback and collaborative spirit.
- Exceeded annual budget and business plan expectations by $1.6M in year 1 and $2.2M in year 2
- Optimized resources, controls costs, and demonstrates flexibility to meet changing needs within available financial resources by securing contracts at lower costs
- Engaged, negotiated rates, and secured Payor contracts with all major Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid contracts
- Boosted quality by overhauling Quality Improvement Committee generating measurable patient results
- Improved operations of facility to ensure production efficiency, quality service, and cost-effective management of resources.
- Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
- Built productive relationships with industry partners and competitors to support strategic business objectives.
- Negotiated with suppliers and delivery workers and ordered materials according to forecasted customer demand.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
Business Office & Human Resource Director
Avenir Behavioral Hospital
01.2019 - 03.2021
- Hired, trained and motivated well-qualified staff.
- Developed and implemented all policies and procedures for ABHC start-up
- Developed strategies to successfully pass Arizona Department of Health licensure and Joint Commission Accreditation
- Maintained human resources information system and kept employee files up to date and accurate.
- Improved office efficiency by effectively managing internal communications and correspondence.
- Supported employee relations, cultivating retention with welcoming and inclusive work culture.
- Assisted with writing job postings and job descriptions for boards.
- Developed and implemented onboarding and orientation programs for new employees.
- Implemented programs and best practices for recruitment, retention, benefits administration, compensation, employee relations, HR information systems, and staff development
- Handled sensitive information appropriately
- Acted fairly and honestly consistent with Company's Code of Conduct including, reporting and violations
- Completed physician credentialing.
- Patient management of admissions, discharges, insurance/payor verification, financial counseling, charge entry, billing, collections, and denials
- Established and maintained vendor contracts
- Yearly budget development and fiscal management across all departments
- Established CMS and AHCCCS numbers
- Established and negotiated all Insurance payor contracts.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory agencies while continually monitoring facility's services and delivery systems
- Collaborated with departments to reduce overtime and control FTE usage.
- Completed assessments of bad debt, labor costs, operating expenses and other areas of importance.
Business Office Director
Haven Behavioral Hospital
03.2011 - 01.2019
- Initiated action, took personal responsibility, suggest improvements, and solve problems
- Understand and knowledge of billing, collection, and reimbursement process
- Nominated Patient Advocate for facility
- Enrolled patients into Arizona State Medicaid programs as needed
- Patient management of benefits, financial responsibilities, and collection of payments
- Completed physician credentialing with insurance companies
- Maintained and coordinated physician's schedules
- Exceed collection goal monthly by 15-40%
- Communicated with insurance providers to resolve payment and coverage issues.
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Resolved financial discrepancies and customer billing issues with timely attention.
- Established workflow processes, monitored daily productivity, and implemented modifications to improve overall performance of personnel.
- Communicated corporate objectives to various divisions to meet deadlines and adhere to company budgets.
Billing Administrator
LifeScape Medical Associates
04.2007 - 03.2011
- Verified CPT codes were entered correctly ensuring clean claims were billed timely
- Generated and submitted invoices based upon established accounts receivable schedules and terms.
- Identified, researched, and resolved billing variances to maintain system accuracy and currency.
- Worked effectively with medical payers such as Medicare, Medicaid, commercial insurances to obtain timely and accurate payments.
- Researched and resolved billing discrepancies to enable accurate billing.
- Oversaw appointment scheduling and itinerary coordination for both clients and personnel.
- Improved customer satisfaction scores through application of superior conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Inform practice with changes in CPT and ICD-9 codes.
- Insurance eligibility verification completed for all patients
- Updated practice FFS charges yearly
- Completed price analysis on supplies and vendors quarterly
- Created reports for management, created invoices and posted payments
- Created A/R system to streamline processes
- Brought past due debt collections from $60K down to $7K
Education
Master of Science -
University of The People
Pasadena, CA01.2024
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of The People
Pasadena, CA03.2021
No Degree - Medical Billing And Coding
Apollo College
Phoenix, AZ03.2007
Skills
- Business Strategy
- Marketing
- Business Management
- Leadership
- Communication
- Business Planning
- Adaptability
- Supported causes
- Mental Health
- Poverty Alleviation
- Health and Wellness
- Human Rights
- Hunger and Nutrition
- Suicide Prevention
- Operational Oversight
Certification
Marketing and Strategy
Timeline
Executive Director (CEO)
Avenir Behavioral Hospital
04.2021 - Current
Business Office & Human Resource Director
Avenir Behavioral Hospital
01.2019 - 03.2021
Business Office Director
Haven Behavioral Hospital
03.2011 - 01.2019
Billing Administrator
LifeScape Medical Associates
04.2007 - 03.2011
Master of Science -
University of The People
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
University of The People
No Degree - Medical Billing And Coding
Apollo College
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