Inside the Practice

AI is rapidly changing medical practice operations—but adopting the latest technology requires more than simply choosing a new tool. In this episode of Inside the Practice , Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt are joined by Zach Ruhl and Eric Lau of Maia for a conversation about the evolving role of AI in medical coding, clinical documentation, and revenue cycle management. Together, they explore the importance of governance, compliance, human oversight, and thoughtful implementation as practices navigate an increasingly crowded AI landscape. The conversation also examines how AI can support—not replace—healthcare professionals by reducing repetitive work, improving accuracy, preserving institutional knowledge, and allowing teams to focus their expertise where it matters most. For practice leaders wondering how to separate meaningful innovation from the noise, this episode offers a practical look at what responsible AI adoption can—and should—look like in healthcare.

Revenue cycle isn’t just a billing department function—it begins before the patient ever walks through the door and continues until the final balance reaches zero. In this episode of Inside the Practice , hosts Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt break down revenue cycle as a practice-wide responsibility spanning scheduling, registration, clinical documentation, coding, claims, and collections. They explore common revenue cycle myths, the importance of identifying the root causes behind denials and revenue leakage, and why front-end training and patient experience matter more than many practices realize. The conversation also looks ahead at AI, payer-driven automatic down-coding, revenue integrity, and the need for practices to understand their payer contracts and advocate for appropriate reimbursement. The takeaway: a strong revenue cycle requires more than a strong billing team. It takes informed leadership, clear ownership, good data, the right technology, and an organization-wide commitment to getting the process right from the start.

What separates a practice that simply grows from one that grows sustainably? In this episode of Inside the Practice, hosts Liv Wolf and Matt Shortt sit down to explore the critical role governance plays in the long-term success of physician practices. Together, they discuss how governance models must evolve as practices grow, the difference between leadership and management, and why succession planning can no longer be an afterthought. Matt shares practical insights on building effective boards and committees, developing future leaders, improving communication between physicians and administrators, and creating organizational structures that support—not hinder—growth. Whether you're leading a small physician-owned practice or navigating the complexities of a large multispecialty group, this episode offers practical guidance for strengthening governance, improving decision-making, and building the organizational foundation needed to thrive for years to come.

In this episode of Inside the Practice , Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt sit down with Joey Rapine and Chris Foley to unpack the complex world of the No Surprises Act (NSA) and the Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process. Together, they explore why the legislation was created, how it impacts physician practices today, and the growing challenges providers face when dealing with out-of-network reimbursement, payer negotiations, and arbitration processes. The conversation dives into practical realities for practices—from navigating QPAs and baseball-style arbitration to the operational burden these disputes place on already stretched revenue cycle teams. The group also discusses broader themes shaping healthcare sustainability, including shrinking margins, network adequacy concerns, physician shortages, and the importance of education and advocacy in helping practices recover revenue they’ve legitimately earned. This episode is a valuable primer for practice administrators, physicians, and revenue cycle leaders trying to better understand one of the more complicated areas of healthcare reimbursement today.

In this episode of Inside the Practice , Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt unpack some of the biggest trends already shaping healthcare in early 2026—including patient access strategies, payer complexity, AI adoption, and organizational culture. Drawing from recent conferences and on-the-ground consulting work in practices across the country, Liv and Matt explore how leaders are navigating physician shortages, evolving patient expectations, and the explosion of healthcare technology vendors. The conversation dives into the promises and pitfalls of AI, the growing importance of trust and transparency in workplace culture, and why intentional leadership—not “the way we’ve always done it”—will determine which practices thrive in the years ahead. This episode is equal parts practical, philosophical, and future-focused—and a reminder that healthcare leaders must stay curious, adaptable, and just rebellious enough to challenge broken systems.

In this special Inside the Practice episode, Matt Shortt turns the mic toward co-host Olivia Wolf to explore her unconventional leadership journey and the experiences that shaped her approach to leading in healthcare. Olivia shares her evolution from command-and-control leadership to a more collaborative, values-driven style, along with candid insights on burnout, emotional processing, and the importance of reflective practice. The conversation also dives deep into her work in physician advocacy, highlighting the systemic challenges clinicians face and the critical need to rehumanize healthcare leadership. This episode is a thoughtful and honest look at what it means to lead with intention, challenge broken systems, and build more sustainable, human-centered practices.

In this episode of Inside the Practice , Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt sit down with Nikki Slusher and Michelle Chouinard of Thrive Payments to talk about one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of medical practice operations: patient payments and front-end financial communication. Together, they explore how payment technology, patient expectations, and operational workflows intersect, and why clear communication around balances, copays, and payment options matters for both the patient experience and practice sustainability. The conversation also covers implementation challenges, staff buy-in, security concerns, and the future of mobile-first payment tools in healthcare. This episode offers practical insight for practice leaders looking to improve collections, reduce administrative burden, and create a smoother financial experience for patients.

In this special Inside the Practice episode, Olivia Wolf turns the mic toward her co-host, Matt Shortt, for a candid conversation about his path through healthcare. From working the front desk in high school to a 15-year clinical career in orthopedics, launching a private practice, and stepping into executive leadership with an MBA. Matt shares the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way: why people-pleasing isn’t leadership, how honesty and accountability build trust, and why sustainable systems matter more than “burnout” narratives. The conversation also explores the realities physicians face in today’s healthcare environment; high expectations, limited room to fail, and systemic pressures that require advocacy and coalition-building. You’ll hear what brought Matt to KZA, how he views KZA’s consulting approach as “surgical” and actionable, and why he’s optimistic about the future of private practice; especially for leaders willing to be bold, stay curious, and “embrace their rebel.”

In this episode of Inside the Practice, we’re joined by Karen Simonton, CEO of The OrthoForum, for a wide-ranging conversation on collaboration, advocacy, and what it will take for independent physician practices to thrive in the decades ahead. Karen shares how The OrthoForum supports physician-owned and physician-led musculoskeletal practices across the country through peer networking, shared learning, and collective problem-solving. We explore the power of collaboration—from building clinically integrated networks and direct-to-employer strategies to strengthening governance and leadership within practices. The conversation also dives deep into advocacy: redefining what it means, why it must extend beyond federal policy, and how issues like downcoding, corporate practice of medicine, pricing transparency, and patient access directly impact physician autonomy and patient care. Looking ahead, Karen offers candid insight on the opportunities and challenges facing private practice, including value-based care, AI, purchaser preparedness, culture, governance, and the critical leadership skills required for the future. Her message is both grounded and energizing: independence is possible, but it requires humility, strong communication, collaboration, and a willingness to be a little rebellious. This episode is a must-listen for physicians, administrators, and practice leaders committed to preserving independent practice while building sustainable, patient-centered models of care.

In the pilot episode of Inside the Practice , we sit down with Cathy McDowell, President and CEO of KZA, to explore where KZA has been—and where it’s headed next. With more than 40 years of history supporting independent physician practices, KZA is entering its next chapter with a renewed commitment to helping practices remain financially strong, operationally sound, and focused on patient care. Cathy shares her vision for the future of KZA, including the evolution of education, data-driven insights, and practical tools that help practices navigate constant change. From leadership lessons and culture to the common traits of high-performing practices, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what truly makes medical practices thrive. Whether you’re a physician, administrator, or practice leader, this episode sets the foundation for the conversations to come—and offers a clear reminder that good medicine and good business don’t have to be at odds.