Health Literacy - How to Help Patients Make Appropriate Health Decisions

In this informative presentation, we’ll delve into the importance of health literacy in empowering patients to make informed health decisions. Participants will learn about the key components of health literacy, common barriers patients face, and effective communication strategies to enhance understanding. We will also discuss practical tools and resources that healthcare professionals can use to support their patients. Join us to discover how improving health literacy can lead to better health outcomes and more engaged patients.

Presenter: Valorie Clouse, FNP, AGNP, CCM, Director, Forvis Mazars

Valorie is a member of Forvis Mazars Healthcare Performance Improvement team. She has extensive experience in Clinical Revenue Integrity Processes, Utilization Review and Case Management. Her strong clinical knowledge and understanding of government and commercial payment systems bring a practical perspective to clients. She has prior experience as a Provider, Clinician, Utilization Review Nurse, and Nurse Case Manager on the facility and payor perspectives.

She also supports the development and collaboration of strong Utilization Review and Case Management processes coupled with Clinical Documentation Integrity and Coding. She focuses on denials prevention and response, reimbursement trends related to the shift from inpatient to outpatient services, and clinical documentation supporting medical necessity. Valorie has assisted large children’s hospitals with Medicaid RAC audits.

Valorie is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, Case Management Society of America, and American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She is a dual-certified nurse practitioner in Adult-Geriatric Medicine and Family Medicine, a Registered Nurse, and a Certified Case Manager. While working in surgical services as a circulator, as a scrub nurse, and in the PACU and pre-/post-op unit, she was Periop 101 certified through Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). She is a current member of AORN and American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.

She is a graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. She is also a graduate of University of Massachusetts Boston, with a Master of Science in Nursing: Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner.

Presented: November 5, 2024