[Forvis Mazars, LLP] Response Document Report.pdf

Mississippi Department of Health

Procurement Dorthy Young, -

570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216

[FORVIS MAZARS, LLP] RESPONSE DOCUMENT REPORT

IFB No. 3160008132

FLEX FY26: Financial and Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs RESPONSE DEADLINE: July 27, 2026 at 10:30 am Report Generated: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Forvis Mazars, LLP Response

CONTACT INFORMATION

Company:

Forvis Mazars, LLP

Email:

publicsectoradvisoryservices@us.forvismazars.com

Contact:

Christina Wright

Address:

14221 North Dallas Parkway Suite 400 Dallas, TX 75254

Phone:

(972) 798-2786

Website:

www.forvismazars.us

Submission Date:

Jul 27, 2026 8:21 AM (Central Time) http://www.forvismazars.us/

FLEX FY26: Financial and Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs

Invitation For Bid - FLEX FY26: Financial and Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs

ADDENDA CONFIRMATION

Addendum #1 Confirmed Jul 21, 2026 8:53 AM by Christina Wright

Addendum #2 Confirmed Jul 21, 2026 8:53 AM by Christina Wright

QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Bidder Representative - Name* Eric Rogers

2. Bidder Representative - Title* Principal

3. Bidder Representative - Complete Mailing Address* 910 E. St. Louis Street, Springfield, MO 65806

4. Bidder Representative - Telephone Number* 417.865.8701

5. Bidder Representative - Email Address* eric.rogers@us.forvismazars.com

6. MAGIC Vendor ID Number* Enter your MAGIC Vendor Number here. This is a ten (10) digit number that begins with 310. This information must be submitted accurately.

Please see below for additional guidance:

• If you ARE registered with the MAGIC eProcurement system and do not know your MAGIC Vendor number, you may contact the MAGIC helpdesk by calling (601) 359-1343 or by emailing mash@dfa.gov for assistance. Webpage Call Center. (Do NOT create a new vendor number)

• If you are NOT registered, please visit the registration page here: MAGIC eProcurement system. If you require assistance, you may access the Call Center page for both a phone number and email as well as business hours for assistance.

Maximum response length: 10 characters

0001041401

7. Paymode* Is Offeror currently registered with PayMode?

No

8. Authorized Business in Mississippi* Is Offeror in compliance with Mississippi Code Annotated § 79-4-15.01 regarding authorization to transact business in Mississippi?

Yes

9. Release of the Bid as Public Record* Bidders shall acknowledge which of the following statements is applicable regarding release of its bid document as a public record. A bidder may be deemed non-responsive if the bidder does not acknowledge either statement, acknowledges both statements, or fails to comply with the requirements of the statement acknowledged.

Choose one:

mailto:mash@dfa.gov https://www.dfa.ms.gov/mmrs-call-center https://www.dfa.ms.gov/vendors https://www.dfa.ms.gov/mmrs-call-center

Bidder hereby certifies that the complete unredacted copy of its bid may be released as a public record by MSDH at any time without notice to bidder. Bidder explicitly waives any right to receive notice of a request to inspect, examine, copy, or reproduce its bid as provided in Mississippi Code Annotated § 25-61-9(1)(a). The bid contains no information bidder deems to be confidential commercial and financial information and/or trade secrets in accordance with Mississippi Code Annotated §§ 25-61-9, 75-26-1 through 75-26-19, and/or 79-23-1. A bidder who selects this option but submits a redacted copy of its bid may be deemed nonresponsive.

10. Confirmation of Non-Collusion* Offeror hereby certifies that the fees submitted in response to this IFB have been arrived at independently and without, for the purpose of restricting competition, any consultation, communication, or agreement with any other Offeror or competitor relating to those fees, the intention to submit a bid, or the methods or factors used to calculate the fees proposed. In submitting a bid, we certifies that the price submitted was independently arrived at without collusion.

Confirmed

11. Contingent Arrangements* Offeror hereby certifies that they _____ retained any person or agency on a percentage, commission, or other contingent arrangement to secure this contract.

have not

12. Audited Financial Statements* Please submit Independently Audited Financial Statements as part of your submittal to this IFB.

Forvis_Mazars_Bid_for_MSDH_Financial_and_Operational_Improvement_for_Mississippi's_CAHs_Financial_Statement.pdf

13. Additional Information For any additional information requested or required by any of your previously provided answers or as stated within this IFB please upload the additional documentation here.

This includes but is not limited to a redacted copy (if applicable) of the Offeror's submittal in which all information deemed to be confidential commercial and financial and/or trade secrets is redacted in black.

Forvis_Mazars_Bid_for_MSDH_Financial_and_Operational_Improvement_for_Mississippi's_CAHs.pdf

14. IFB Confirmation* Offeror confirms and acknowledges that they have read this IFB in its entirety and fully understands all requirements. Submitting party further confirms that they are authorized on behalf of the vendor to submit such a bid.

Confirmed

PRICE TABLES

FLEX FY26

***For additional information, please refer back to the scope of work. ***

Line Item Description Quantity Unit of Measure

Unit Cost Total

1 Statewide Needs Assessment 2 Assessment $20,000.00 $40,000.00

2 Revenue Cycle Management Roundtable 4 Roundtable Sessions

$10,000.00 $40,000.00

3 Outmigration Assesment 6 Analysis $17,500.00 $105,000.00

4 Billing and coding trainings 4 Trainings $10,000.00 $40,000.00

5 Chargemaster reviews for CAHs (6 Hospitals) twice per year 24 Reviews $7,500.00 $180,000.00

TOTAL $405,000.00

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 1

Audited Financial Statements

As a privately held partnership, Forvis Mazars, LLP does not provide financial statements to outside sources.

Forvis Mazars’ capital structure is 100 percent partner financed. Our partnership agreement requires partners to maintain capital accounts, which are reviewed annually to verify the firm has sufficient capital to finance operations, capital expenditures, expansion, etc. Forvis Mazars maintains a $100M line of credit to support cash flows needs, draws may be outstanding periodically during a fiscal year due to the annual recurring cyclical nature of the public accounting industry.

Forvis Mazars does not have any long-term debt obligations outstanding.

Our employee retirement plan is a defined contribution plan, earned benefits are funded annually. Our partner retirement plans are funded annually based on statutory requirements and are withheld from periodic partner distributions. Partner termination payments to retired or withdrawn partners are fixed and limited under our partnership agreement to a low percentage of firm net income and are primarily paid out over a 10-year period.

Our system of financial and budgetary controls provides for timely monthly financial statements. Each month, management compares actual financial data to the current year’s budget and to the previous year’s figures. On a weekly basis, management can monitor the firm’s financial performance and adopt appropriate strategies to meet changing conditions.

We are confident our financial house is in order, and our partners are committed to keeping it that way.

Upon award, we would be able to provide you with an annual “Financial Responsibility Document” at your request, that provides revenue, personnel numbers, operating history and capital structure information that supports our financial responsibility.

Forvis Mazars, LLP is an independent member of Forvis Mazars Global Limited

FLEX FY26: Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs

IFB RFx Number: 3160008132

Mississippi State Department of Health

A bid for

Forvis Mazars, LLP is an independent member of Forvis Mazars Global Limited

July 27th, 2026

Ms. Hannah Wright

Bid Coordinator

Mississippi State Department of Health

PO Box 1700

Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1700

Dear Ms. Wright and Evaluation Committee:

We appreciate the opportunity to submit our bid for the Mississippi State Department of Health’s (MSDH) FLEX FY26

Financial and Operational Improvement for Mississippi's Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Our team brings a strong record of helping rural hospitals, health systems, state agencies, and healthcare organizations improve financial performance, strengthen operational effectiveness, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth. We understand that improving the long-term financial health of Mississippi’s rural hospitals requires practical solutions that are responsive to local needs, supported by meaningful data analysis, and developed through ongoing engagement with hospital leadership, financial teams, and state stakeholders.

Key strengths we bring to this engagement include:

• Rural Hospital Financial Improvement Approach

We combine statewide assessments, facility-level evaluations, and actionable improvement planning to identify areas of greatest need and prioritize initiatives that support stronger financial performance, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability for Critical Access Hospitals.

• Healthcare Financial and Revenue Cycle Experience

Our team has extensive experience evaluating billing, coding, chargemaster management, reimbursement processes, and revenue cycle performance. This perspective allows us to identify improvement opportunities while providing education and practical tools that hospital leaders can apply within their organizations.

• Action-Oriented Market and Service Line Analysis

We help healthcare organizations understand market dynamics, patient outmigration patterns, and service line opportunities that support informed decision-making. Our analyses are designed to help hospitals identify realistic opportunities to retain patients, expand services, and strengthen their position within their communities.

Forvis Mazars brings a demonstrated track record of success supporting Mississippi state agencies, including a long-standing relationship with the Mississippi Department of Education. Our experience navigating state government processes, stakeholder environments, compliance requirements, and reporting expectations enables us to deliver practical solutions that align with Mississippi's unique operational and regulatory landscape.

We welcome the opportunity to support MSDH and Mississippi’s CAHs in advancing financial stability, operational effectiveness, and access to high-quality healthcare services for rural communities across the state. We believe our proposal will help you select our firm for efficient and objective services delivered by experienced professionals. Should you have questions regarding this proposal, you may reach us by phone or email as provided below.

Sincerely, Eric Rogers Principal 417.865.8701 eric.rogers@us.forvismazars.com

Steve Smith Director 816.489.4292 steve.smith@us.forvismazars.com mailto:eric.rogers@us.forvismazars.com mailto:steve.smith@us.forvismazars.com

Our acceptance of this engagement is subject to completion of our normal client acceptance procedures. Upon acceptance, the actual terms of our engagement will be documented in a separate letter to be signed by you and us. All information contained within this proposal is proprietary and confidential. The information provided in this proposal is intended for informational purposes only and may not be copied, used, or modified, in whole or in part, without Forvis Mazars prior written approval. Most statistical information in this proposal is as of May 31, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

Table of Contents

Proposed Fees

Your Investment

Approach

Measurable Outcomes

Firm Qualifications

Overview of the Firm

Healthcare Experience

Healthcare Resources You Deserve

Dedicated U.S. Based Healthcare Teams

Relevant Healthcare/Rural Hospital Experience

Critical Access Hospital Experience

Understanding Rural Healthcare Challenges

How We Support Rural & Community-Based Providers

A Trusted Professional Services Firm for Southeastern Rural Providers

Representative Clients

Success Stories

Key Personnel

Team Organization

Exceptions to Terms & Conditions

Appendix

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN FORVIS MAZARS RFP RESPONSE, WHICH IT ASSERTS AS CONFIDENTIAL, IS EITHER

BUSINESS AND/OR PROPRIETARY TRADE SECRET INFORMATION NOT SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE AS SET FORTH IN

THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT. SUCH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION HAS INDEPENDENT

ECONOMIC VALUE TO FORVIS MAZARS, IS NOT REASONABLY ASCERTAINABLE BY THIRD PARTIES, AND IS THE

SUBJECT OF REASONABLE EFFORTS BY FORVIS MAZARS TO MAINTAIN ITS SECRECY AND/OR CONFIDENTIALITY.

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 1

Proposed Fees

Your Investment

Cost may not be the sole deciding factor for MSDH but we understand it can certainly become a relevant measure when comparing firms. When you select Forvis Mazars, you aren’t just paying for professional services. You’re investing in a long-term working relationship with a trusted advisor committed to providing year-round, quantifiable value. While the deliverables you receive from any firm may look the same, we are convinced Forvis Mazars can offer you the Unmatched

Client Experience® that you seek.

The estimated fees presented below are based on our review of existing information and the time, skill, and resources required to deliver the defined scope of services. We welcome a collaborative dialogue regarding the defined scope of services to help us align with MSDH regarding how we will execute this engagement.

Our goal is to be candid, timely, answer your questions about fees upfront, and avoid fee surprises. We determine our fees by evaluating a number of variables: the complexity of the work, the project’s scope, the time we will spend, and the level of professional staff needed. In addition to our quoted fee, you will be billed for travel costs and an administrative fee of 5%. This fee covers items such as copies, postage and other delivery charges, supplies, technology-related costs, such as computer processing, software licensing, research and library databases, and similar expense items.

Fee Proposal

Any work outside the proposed scope will be billed according to our hourly rates.

Line Item Description Quantity Unit of Measure Unit Cost Total

1 Statewide Needs Assessment 2 Assessment $20,000 $40,000

Revenue Cycle Management

Roundtable 4 Roundtable Session $10,000 $40,000

3 Outmigration Assessment 6 Analysis $17,500 $105,000

4 Billing and Coding Trainings 4 Trainings $10,000 $40,000

Chargemaster Reviews for CAHs

(6 Hospitals) twice per year 12 Reviews $15,000* 180,000

TOTAL $405,000

*Pricing is based on twelve (12) chargemaster reviews as specified in Addendum #2. Because the pricing portal lists twenty-four (24) reviews, the per-review fee has been adjusted in the portal to ensure the total proposed fee remains consistent with the revised scope.

Hourly Rates

Staff Level Hourly Rates

Partner / Principal / Managing Director / Director $455-$750

Senior Manager $390-$550

Manager $320-$475

Senior Associate / Senior Consultant $235-$385

Associate / Consultant $205-$320

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 2

Approach

MSDHs Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) face unique financial and operational challenges that require practical, data-driven solutions tailored to each facility's needs. Forivs Mazars’ approach is designed to help MSDH's CAHs strengthen their financial health, operational performance, and long-term sustainability through targeted assessment, education, technical assistance, and implementation support. Recognizing that each CAH faces distinct challenges and opportunities, we partner closely with hospital leadership, finance teams, and key stakeholders to develop practical, facility-specific solutions that drive measurable results.

Our team will provide a detailed statewide assessment to evaluate the financial and operational status of Mississippi

CAHs and identify hospitals with the greatest need and opportunity for improvement. Using data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and benchmarking, we will develop targeted action plans that address revenue cycle performance, coding and billing effectiveness, chargemaster accuracy, and strategic growth opportunities.

To strengthen organizational capacity, we will provide CFO roundtables, financial education sessions, and technical assistance focused on improving revenue cycle processes, reducing revenue leakage, strengthening reimbursement performance, and enhancing financial decision-making. Through detailed chargemaster reviews, billing and coding training, and implementation support, participating hospitals will gain the tools and knowledge needed to improve charge capture, coding accuracy, and overall financial performance.

In addition, market share and outmigration analyses will help participating CAHs identify opportunities to expand or optimize service lines, retain patients within their communities, and improve access to local healthcare services. By combining strategic analysis with practical implementation support, we will help hospitals make informed operational decisions and achieve sustainable improvements that extend beyond the engagement period.

Measurable Outcomes

Through this Financial and Operational Improvement Initiative, MSDH and participating CAHs can expect the following measurable outcomes:

• Complete a statewide needs assessment identifying at least twelve (12) vulnerable CAHs for targeted financial and operational improvement support.

• Develop facility-specific action plans with baseline metrics, improvement priorities, and sustainability strategies.

• Deliver at least four (4) CFO roundtables and educational sessions focused on strengthening financial management, operational oversight, and revenue cycle performance. One of these roundtables will be held in-person in a location to be determined.

• Conduct at least four (4) statewide billing and coding training programs to improve coding accuracy and reimbursement compliance. One of these roundtables will be held in-person in a location to be determined.

• Complete market share and outmigration assessments, identifying opportunities for service line growth, increased local utilization, and reduced patient leakage for at least six (6) CAHs.

• Conduct at least two (2) chargemaster reviews per year for at least six (6) CAHS to improve revenue integrity, charge capture, and coding accuracy.

• Track and report facility-level performance measures, including baseline conditions, progress toward established goals, and documented financial and operational improvements.

• Transfer knowledge and build internal capabilities that enable participating CAHs to sustain improvements and continue performance enhancement efforts after project completion.

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 3

By integrating assessment, education, technical assistance, revenue cycle optimization, chargemaster reviews, and market intelligence into a single Financial and Operational Improvement Initiative, we will help Mississippi CAHs improve financial stability, operational efficiency, and organizational sustainability while building the capabilities needed to thrive in an increasingly challenging healthcare environment.

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 4

600+ Partners &

Principals

7,000+ Professionals

2,800+ CPAs

Firm Qualifications

Overview of the Firm

Forvis Mazars, LLP is an independent member of Forvis Mazars Global Limited, a leading global professional services network. Ranked among the largest public accounting firms in the United States, the firm’s more than 7,000 dedicated team members deliver an Unmatched Client Experience through assurance, tax, and consulting services to clients across all 50 states, as well as internationally through the global network.

Forvis Mazars has a strong geographic presence, spanning 77 markets across 31 states in the U.S. Our professionals bring together insights from multiple disciplines to serve a wide range of sectors, including Consumer & Logistics;

Financial Services; Healthcare; Infrastructure; Manufacturing; Nonprofit, Education, and Public Sector; Private Client;

TMT, Life Sciences, & Services; Private Equity; and Real Estate.

Serving the Entire Continuum of Care

We have hundreds of dedicated healthcare consultants who understand the challenges today’s environment presents.

Forvis Mazars is committed to serving the entire continuum of care in pursuit of Achieving Health for organizations and those they serve, including:

• Health Systems that are committed to advancing patient care, safety, quality and performance excellence.

• Community health centers that strive to improve the health of the populations they serve through quality care that is close to home.

• Ambulatory and post-acute providers that extend beyond the four walls of the hospital to bring care out of the costliest setting.

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 5

• Intellectual and

Developmental Disabilities

• Physician Enterprises

• Post Acute Care

• Senior Living

• Value Based Care

• 340B & Pharmacy Services

• Academic Medical Centers

• Accountable Care Organizations

• Behavioral Health

• Children’s Hospitals

• Clinically Integrated Networks

• Community Health Centers

• Critical Access Hospitals

• Home Care and Hospice

Healthcare Experience

As one of the largest U.S. firms and a member of a leading global network, we have the resources and personnel necessary to provide you with knowledgeable support for your consulting engagements. Forvis Mazars is a partner-owned firm with a dedicated healthcare practice, and we are committed to providing MSDH with an Unmatched Client Experience focused on your needs.

Dedicated U.S. Based Healthcare Teams

Forvis Mazars has approximately 1,170 dedicated healthcare professionals located in the United States. Our teams focus on specific areas within the healthcare continuum, including:

Healthcare Resources You Deserve

MSDH has a single point of contact year-round. This helps limit duplication of effort and provides you with access to Forvis Mazars healthcare leadership throughout the year.

Our teams are structured around healthcare operations, including revenue cycle improvements, compliance, analytics, and patient impact.

Our teams can provide knowledgeable support across each of your operational verticals to help you succeed.

Proactive Advisors

Forvis Mazars doesn’t wait to see how shifting regulations impact our clients. We work to be at the forefront of these changes.

From polling peer leadership groups to relying on our internal dedicated regulatory advisors, we are committed to identifying industry developments that may impact our clients so we can help you plan for changes instead of reacting to them.

Strategic Industry Positioning

Our teams tailor recommendations based on your needs as well as the current healthcare environment, providing insights and recommendations to help you remain proactive in your growth strategies.

#1

1According to Cause IQ | 2 According to data compiled by the Health Financial Systems

(HFS) | 3According to data compiled by the

U.S. Office of Management and Budget via the

Federal Audit Clearinghouse | According to

Modern Healthcare’s Largest Management

Consulting Firms 2025 rating

#6

Largest Healthcare

Consulting Firm4

#3

Largest Provider of

Single Audits to Nonprofit

Entities, including

Healthcare Organizations3

Largest Nonprofit

Healthcare Tax Preparer1

Largest Preparer of

Cost Reports2

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 6

Relevant Healthcare/Rural Hospital Experience

Critical Access Hospital Experience

Forvis Mazars is a leading advisor to Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), serving approximately 150 CAHs nationwide. We bring the experience MSDH needs to help Mississippi’s CAHs remain financially sustainable healthcare providers for their communities and patients. Through decades of work with rural healthcare organizations, we understand the financial, operational, and regulatory factors that influence long-term success in rural healthcare environments.

Our team helps CAHs optimize reimbursement, strengthen financial performance, maintain regulatory compliance, and identify opportunities for operational improvement. We regularly assist clients with Medicare cost reporting, reimbursement strategy, interim payment monitoring, margin improvement initiatives, strategic planning, and other issues critical to sustaining access to care in rural communities.

Beyond our client work, Forvis Mazars actively contributes to the advancement of rural healthcare through involvement with organizations such as the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). Our professionals support advocacy initiatives and share thought leadership through presentations and educational programs at industry conferences, including:

• American Health Lawyers Association Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues

• Healthcare Financial Management Association Annual National Institute

• NRHA Annual CAH Conference

• Annual Western Region Flex Conference

Because we work with rural providers throughout the southeast and across the country, we are often able to identify emerging industry trends, reimbursement developments, and operational challenges early and share proven strategies with our clients. This broad perspective enables us to bring practical insights and leading practices to every engagement.

Understanding Rural Healthcare Challenges

Rural healthcare organizations operate in an increasingly complex environment that requires balancing financial sustainability with the critical mission of maintaining local access to care. Critical access hospitals, rural hospitals, community health systems, and affiliated clinics face many of the same pressures as larger urban providers, often with fewer resources and greater financial vulnerability.

Among the most significant challenges are workforce recruitment and retention, physician shortages, rising labor and supply costs, reimbursement pressures, aging infrastructure, regulatory complexity, and increasing reliance on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. At the same time, rural providers must continue meeting community healthcare needs while adapting to evolving payment models, new care delivery approaches, and growing expectations for quality and access.

“As a first-year CFO at a critical access hospital, I really leaned on the entire team at Forvis Mazars, and they delivered. They have been incredibly helpful with our cost report, audit, and general consulting needs. Their deep understanding of rural healthcare finance and willingness to walk me through the details and not just advise, but help me understand, made a big difference. I’m grateful to have their trusted assistance.”

Sheila Hachmeister, Chief Financial Officer

Rooks County Health Center

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 7

Forvis Mazars understands these realities because we work alongside rural healthcare leaders every day. We recognize that rural organizations need practical solutions tailored to their unique operating environments, not one-size-fits-all recommendations developed for larger health systems.

How We Support Rural & Community-Based Providers

Forvis Mazars serves a broad range of rural and community-based healthcare organizations, including CAHs, rural health clinics (RHCs), federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), community health centers (CHCs), and regional health systems. Our multidisciplinary healthcare team helps organizations address both immediate operational challenges and long-term strategic priorities.

Our services include:

Financial Sustainability & Performance Improvement

• Margin improvement and cost optimization

• Service line profitability analysis

• Labor and workforce efficiency strategies

• Cash flow forecasting and liquidity management

Reimbursement & Regulatory Compliance

• Medicare cost reporting and CAH reimbursement methodologies

• RHC and FQHC reimbursement optimization

• DSH and supplemental payment program support

• CMS compliance and audit readiness

Revenue Cycle & Operational Performance

• Revenue cycle assessments and improvement initiatives

• Denial management and reimbursement capture

• Throughput and cash acceleration strategies

• Supply chain and non-labor expense management

Strategic Advisory & Transformation

• Strategic and scenario planning

• Partnership and affiliation evaluations

• Capital planning and prioritization

• Service delivery model redesign and telehealth integration

Integrated Multidisciplinary Support

• Financial statement audits and assurance services

• Internal controls and regulatory compliance

• Tax-exempt compliance and IRS Form 990 services

• Transaction advisory, valuation, and due diligence support

• Data analytics and performance insight development

By combining deep healthcare knowledge, national rural healthcare experience, and integrated advisory capabilities, Forvis Mazars helps rural providers strengthen performance, navigate change, and sustain their mission of delivering high-quality care to the communities they serve.

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 8

A Trusted Professional Services Firm for Southeastern Rural Providers

With a strong presence across the Southeast, Forvis Mazars understands the regional dynamics that shape rural healthcare delivery from state-level policy considerations to local market pressures. Our proximity allows us to be responsive, accessible, and deeply connected to the communities we serve. We pride ourselves on building long-term working relationships grounded in trust, responsiveness, and results. Our teams bring not only technical knowledge but also a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset working alongside clients to help you implement change, not just recommend it.

Representative Clients

Forvis Mazars is proud to provide services to hospitals and health systems, including:

• Field Health System

• Kings Daughters Medical Center

• Tyler Holmes Memorial Hospital

• Delta Health – The Medical Center

• Singing River Health System and Singing River Gulfport

• Forrest County General Hospital

• University of MS Medical Center

• North Mississippi Medical Center

• Jasper General Hospital

• Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center

• Copiah County Medical Center

Success Stories

Operational Consulting

• A health system contacted Forvis Mazars six years after a successful one-time consulting engagement designed to improve productivity and direct costs through a redesigned compensation model. The client was seeking a review and redesign recommendation for post-acute care services in the context of the entity’s larger health system. After assessing the organization’s post-acute care programs, we made recommendations for positioning strategies to prepare the client for upcoming payment models. The health system again reported success and satisfaction with the results.

• A hospital-affiliated home care, hospice, and pharmacy provider was experiencing financial losses in each of its programs. Forvis Mazars was brought in to assess each provider’s programs and operations. Through detailed benchmark analyses, on-site reviews, and observation of processes and procedures, as well as interviews with key staff and management, we identified multiple opportunities for improved financial performance, including revenue accuracy improvement and cost reduction strategies. Management was initially hesitant to accept our recommendations, believing them to be not applicable to the client’s operations, but ultimately decided to proceed.

We assisted leadership with the successful implementation of a care management model designed to achieve improved clinical and financial outcomes. The client is now seeing financial gains and has ongoing conversations with our consultants to effectively manage its operations.

Other Consulting

• A rural health clinic asked Forvis Mazars to perform a baseline assessment of professional staff documentation and coding to verify consistent billing patterns. We assessed documentation and associated claims data for 20 providers and identified significant CPT code assignment inaccuracies, noncompliance with CMS documentation guidelines and billing errors which resulted in overpayment. We worked with the client’s attorney to determine the refund amount and obtained approval from the regional MAC without further actions taken by the Medicare program. After that first part of the engagement, we then provided staff training and restructured the charge capture process, recommending employing additional coding staff, and redistributing duties to improve efficiency.

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 9

Key Personnel

We recognize that MSDH faces unique challenges and opportunities. To support your objectives with practical knowledge and insight, we carefully select healthcare consultants whose experience aligns directly with your needs. Our professionals are chosen for their proven healthcare industry experience and ability to bring relevant insights and best practices that create value beyond compliance.

Team Organization

We believe that the right team makes all the difference. Below is an overview of your dedicated engagement team, each member selected for their relevant experience and commitment to delivering exceptional results:

Name and

Title Role Relevant Experience

Steve Smith

Director

Rural Healthcare

Performance

Improvement

Lead

• Leads rural healthcare performance improvement initiatives focused on strengthening hospital financial and operational performance.

• Provides revenue cycle consulting services to hospitals, RHCs, FQHCs, and other provider organizations.

• Advises healthcare organizations on RHC establishment, operations, and regulatory compliance.

• Delivers training on Medicare reimbursement, revenue cycle management, and healthcare financial performance improvement.

Sarah Hereford

Director

Healthcare

Strategy &

Value-Based

Care

• Leads enterprise and service line strategic planning initiatives for hospitals and health systems.

• Develops value-based care and alternative payment model strategies to improve provider sustainability.

• Conducts stakeholder engagement sessions and strategic planning workshops to identify growth opportunities.

• Manages complex healthcare transformation and work on client initiatives from strategy development through implementation.

Alicia Faust

Principal

Revenue Cycle

& Financial

Performance

Improvement

Director

• Leads revenue cycle and revenue integrity improvement initiatives for hospitals and physician practices.

• Conducts chargemaster reviews, pricing strategy assessments, and revenue modeling to strengthen financial performance.

• Supports hospital and physician practice integrations, service line expansion, and operational optimization initiatives.

• Assesses managed care, reimbursement, and compliance impacts to improve healthcare organization sustainability and financial outcomes.

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 10

Julia Gonzalez, Lead Consultant

Revenue

Integrity &

Chargemaster

Optimization

Manager

• Leads CDM optimization and revenue integrity assessments to improve reimbursement accuracy and financial performance.

• Conducts charge capture, charge reconciliation, and denials management reviews to strengthen revenue cycle operations.

• Supports revenue cycle conversions and new service line implementations for hospitals and physician practices.

• Performs pricing strategy, revenue modeling, and compliance assessments to support financial sustainability and operational improvement.

Stacey Gee

Manager

Revenue Cycle

& Chargemaster

Review Manager

• Leads revenue cycle assessments to identify process improvements and strengthen hospital financial performance.

• Conducts chargemaster implementation and review projects, including charge capture, coding, and staff education.

• Performs denial management analyses to identify reimbursement trends and improve billing, coding, and collections processes.

• Develops revenue integrity programs and provides training to enhance documentation, charge accuracy, and revenue opportunities.

Carolina

Golmon-

Hernandez

Coding, Documentation &

Revenue

Integrity

Manager

• Conducts coding and documentation assessments for Critical Access

Hospitals (CAHs), FQHCs, rural health centers, and other healthcare providers to improve compliance and reimbursement performance

• Performs clinical revenue integrity and HIM assessments to identify revenue cycle improvement opportunities and support financial sustainability initiatives

• Utilizes data analytics to evaluate operational performance and support implementation of revenue-focused improvement strategies.

• Provides expertise in claims processing, coding, documentation compliance, and revenue cycle operations to strengthen billing accuracy and reduce reimbursement risk.

Craig Tolbert, Principal

Alternative

Payment &

Healthcare

Finance Principal

• Develops financial models and revenue improvement strategies for hospitals and healthcare providers.

• Advises healthcare organizations on alternative payment models, reimbursement optimization, and regulatory requirements.

• Analyzes payment model data and evaluates strategic implementation plans to support financial sustainability.

• Leads initiatives involving value-based payment models, bundled payments, ACOs, and care delivery transformation to improve organizational performance.

Eric Rogers, Principal

Rural Hospital

Financial &

Operational

Improvement

Subject Matter

Advisor

• Leads margin improvement initiatives for rural hospitals and health systems, focusing on financial sustainability and operational performance.

• Directs teams that identify and implement cost reduction, operational efficiency, and revenue enhancement strategies.

• Oversees healthcare consulting engagements supporting financial improvement programs for federal and state-funded initiatives.

• Advises healthcare leaders on performance improvement strategies and frequently presents on hospital margin improvement and sustainability.

MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 11

Exceptions to Terms & Conditions

Forvis Mazars customarily documents professional services engagements through a written engagement letter, prepared in accordance with professional standards, that defines the scope of services, responsibilities of the parties, assumptions, and other customary business terms. Upon being selected as the successful bidder, Forvis Mazars may require modification to the terms and conditions, as referenced in the IFB, to comply with professional standards and/or firm policies. As Forvis Mazars has successfully resolved similar terms and conditions with the state of Mississippi and we are confident the parties can successfully negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. Forvis Mazars sincerely appreciates

MSDH's consideration and understanding. Forvis Mazars looks forward to working with MSDH in this regard.

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Appendix

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MSDH Financial & Operational Improvement for Mississippi's CAHs Forvis Mazars 13

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