White River Health saw an opportunity to improve how physician productivity data was calculated and shared. Manual spreadsheets got the job done but were slow, error-prone, and offered providers little visibility into their own performance. By building on its existing Sixth Sense Intelligence SMaRT Analytics platform with RVU automation and mobile access, White River turned a cumbersome process into a streamlined, transparent system. The result: 30–40 staff hours saved each month and a dramatic boost in provider engagement and satisfaction.
This case study is based on a recent discussion from Sixth Sense Intelligence’s CFO Exchange. You can watch the full recording here.
About White River Health
White River Health (WRH) is an acute care, multi-facility, not-for-profit, regional healthcare system in North Central Arkansas. With two hospital campuses, one in Batesville and one in Mountain View, plus outpatient care centers and clinic offices throughout the region, WRH serves patients in ten counties: Independence, Izard, Sharp, Stone, and parts of Cleburne, Fulton, Jackson, Lawrence, Van Buren, and White.
The Challenge
Like many health systems, White River Health (WRH) relied on manual spreadsheets to track work RVUs (Relative Value Units). While the process worked, it was time-intensive and left room for improvement.
- Heavy Manual Workload: Calculations in Excel could take hours each week, pulling staff away from higher-value work.
- Inconsistent Approaches: Each department managed RVUs a little differently, creating variations across the system.
- Time-Consuming Delays: For hospitalists alone, processing RVUs could take 6–8 hours of staff time.
- Limited Visibility: Without real-time access, providers lacked the transparency they needed to stay fully engaged.
Leadership recognized that a more efficient, standardized system would not only save time but also improve accuracy, provider trust, and collaboration across the health system.
The Solution: Sixth Sense Intelligence
WRH already used Sixth Sense Intelligence’s SMaRT Analytics™ platform, which made it simple to add RVU calculations and extend functionality through a mobile app.
Key features included:
- One source of truth: Regardless of the system—Meditech, Athena, or Epic—providers now access consistent, accurate RVU data.
- Mobile access: Physicians can log in on their phone each morning to see charges from the prior day.
- Desktop options: Monthly emails link to desktop reports, where providers can export data to Excel for easy reconciliation.
- Fast expansion of a trusted system: Because WRH already relied on SMaRT analytics, adding RVU automation and mobile access felt like a natural extension rather than a disruptive new tool.
“The mobile app has been a game changer. Providers love the transparency, and it’s saving us countless hours each month.” — Kay Ann Housdan, Assistant Director of Revenue Cycle
Implementation Strategy
Rolling out the RVU automation required more than just technology:
- Administration Buy-in: The CFO and leadership team endorsed the project to ensure provider trust.
- Policy Development: The team created clear rules for bundled procedures, modifiers, and Medicare alignment before launch
- Backend Setup: Standardizing data and configuring logic took time but provided a solid foundation for accuracy.
WRH began with a pilot group of 12 providers in October 2024. Word spread quickly, and adoption surged. Today, 47 providers actively use the mobile app, with more requesting access.
Provider Training & Adoption
Training was smoother than expected. Providers were eager to use the app, which made onboarding straightforward.
- Small group sessions provided hands-on support and walkthroughs.
- Providers quickly learned to navigate the app and apply standardized rules, including complex cases like bilateral procedures.
- Adoption soon became self-sustaining as early users encouraged their peers to join.
“They were so excited to get it on their phone that training was simple. Once we showed them how it worked, they were off and running.” — Kay Ann Housdan, Assistant Director of Revenue Cycle
The Results
What began as a project to eliminate manual spreadsheets has transformed how providers and staff work together. Automation, standardization, and mobile access improved accuracy, transparency, and engagement across the organization.
- Provider Satisfaction Soared: Success was measured by provider happiness—and engagement was immediate.
- Significant Time Savings: Automation saves 30–40 hours of staff time each month, replacing manual spreadsheets with reliable, real-time calculations.
- Near Real-Time Insight: Providers see daily updates, which motivates faster note completion and encourages proactive feedback.
- Improved Documentation: Providers now sign notes faster—often treating it “like a game”—eliminating chronic delays.
- Faster Issue Resolution: Coding discrepancies are flagged and corrected before bonus payments are processed, preventing errors and strengthening trust.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Providers, coders, and billers now communicate more effectively, using shared data as a starting point.
- Standardized Workflow: Automated handling of modifiers and bundled procedures created consistency across the health system.
- Flexible Access: Providers can check data on the mobile app or download detailed Excel reports from monthly emails, giving them confidence in the process.
“One provider who used to delay signing notes for months now completes them promptly. Because RVUs won’t appear in the app until notes are signed, he checks his phone daily and stays current—transforming a chronic issue into timely compliance.” — Kay Ann Housdan, Assistant Director of Revenue Cycle
Conclusion
What began as an efficiency project quickly became a cultural shift. Today, 47 providers use the mobile app, documentation turnaround times have improved, and staff have recaptured 30–40 hours every month.
Most importantly, provider satisfaction has soared—proving that automation and transparency can drive both financial and clinical success.
“This has just been amazing and it has worked wonderfully for us. I highly recommend it.” — Kay Ann Housdan, Assistant Director of Revenue Cycle
Sixth Sense Intelligence’s SMaRT Analytics platform also helped White River Health cut month-end close time by up to 40%. Read the full article here.
