Revolutionizing Invoice Validation in Healthcare with AI

The healthcare industry is undergoing a transformation with the introduction of an innovative AI system designed to validate service invoices prior to payment. This advancement plays a crucial role in helping healthcare systems manage a significant spending category valued at over $323 billion.

Healthcare Systems Embrace AI for Cost Control

Leading healthcare organizations, such as OSF HealthCare, Kettering Health, MemorialCare, and MUSC Health, are at the forefront of this technological shift. They have implemented AI solutions to effectively manage and control expenses, particularly regarding purchased services.

Understanding the Impact of Purchased Services

Purchased services account for nearly half of non-labor expenditures within health systems. The financial implications of unmanaged spending are staggering, with estimates suggesting that over $32 billion in avoidable overpayments occur each year. This presents a significant opportunity for healthcare organizations to improve their financial efficiency.

Overpayments Due to Lack of Invoice Validation

Currently, a substantial majority of invoices are approved without proper validation, leading to widespread overpayments. According to SpendRule, many of these discrepancies could be avoided with an effective invoice validation system in place.

Transforming Contracts into Real-time Payment Controls

Joseph Akintolayo, CTO and co-founder of SpendRule, highlights the challenge of managing purchased service contracts, many of which are stored away in cabinets—be they physical or digital. “We’re changing that by coding the actual terms, conditions, and obligations into real-time payment controls,” he explains. This method allows for seamless four-way matching of purchase order, receipt, invoice, and contract terms, validating invoices before payment occurs.

Enhanced Accuracy and Efficiency

Dave Fergus, director of supply chain at OSF HealthCare, points out that managing thousands of complex purchased service contracts can be daunting. “Before SpendRule, there was no realistic way to ensure that every invoice line matched the contract. Now, this validation happens automatically,” he notes. This not only boosts confidence in the accuracy of invoices but also liberates teams from the burden of manual approvals, enabling them to focus on more strategic tasks.

Investment in Innovative Solutions

SpendRule is backed by prominent investors, including Abundant Venture Partners, MemorialCare Innovation Fund, and Zeal Capital Partners. Their support underscores the growing recognition of AI’s potential to streamline financial operations in the healthcare sector.

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, the integration of AI solutions like SpendRule’s contract intelligence platform could be pivotal in controlling costs and enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring that every service rendered is accurately compensated.