Jenny Fernandez, senior health information management director at CarePoint Healthcare, has built a remarkable career in health care management, excelling in health information systems, coding, revenue cycle optimization, clinical documentation improvement, and implementing various systems. With more than two decades of experience, she played a pivotal role at CarePoint overseeing the Health Information Management Department. Her responsibilities span medical records coding, record release, and data governance in addition to managing clinical documentation improvement in collaboration with clinical staff. Her strategic insight and ability to adapt to complex healthcare environments underscore her value as a leader dedicated to driving operational excellence and high-quality patient outcomes.
Mrs. Fernandez earned her bachelor’s degree in health information management from Kean University in 2001. In the same year, she achieved registered health information administrator status through the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), marking her entry into the health care field. Later, she became a certified revenue cycle representative, credentialed by the Healthcare Financial Management Association in 2023. Throughout her career, she has remained determined to advance her skills and knowledge, staying active within the AHIMA and other industry organizations.
Ms. Fernandez’s path to health care management began unexpectedly. Initially enrolled at Kean University to pursue physical therapy, she quickly discovered a different calling. A volunteer experience in physical therapy made her realize that daily direct patient care was not her ideal fit, although she was passionate about helping people. While taking a course in physical therapy, she noticed a billboard about the field of health information management and recognized it as another way to contribute. This form of health care has allowed her to have more of an overall impact on patient care and resonated closely with her goals and skill set.
After earning her degree, Mrs. Fernandez began her career as a health information services coordinator at Liberty Health-Meadowlands Hospital. She then joined Healthcare Quality Strategies, Inc. (HQSI), working from 2002 to 2007 as a hospital payment monitoring task leader, solidifying her reputation as an innovator in health care quality and payment processes. At HQSI, she conducted diagnostic-related group reviews and became the first person without a nursing background trained in medical necessity review. Her work involved reviewing patient charts for medical necessity, determining whether inpatient admissions were warranted, and ensuring accurate coding practices.
Ms. Fernandez’s expertise and leadership at HQSI earned her a promotion to become the task leader of the Hospital Payment Monitoring Program (HPMP), leading the release of the Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Report, known as PEPPER. This groundbreaking initiative, which involved analyzing claims data to monitor hospital payment patterns, became the foundation of the HPMP in the United States. Ms. Fernandez presented this program to the National Quality Institute, where it was highly regarded and subsequently adopted by other quality improvement organizations across the country. This early accomplishment set the stage for a career marked by innovation, problem-solving, and significant contributions to the health care industry.
In 2007, Ms. Fernandez transitioned to Bayonne Medical Center as a director of health information management. She later held similar roles at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, directing electronic health record development and implementation. Her work in these roles further developed her expertise in health information technology and process improvement. After joining CarePoint in 2012, Ms. Fernandez took her expertise in health information management to new heights. One of her major accomplishments was implementing the remote coding program—the first time remote work was allowed at CarePoint. This innovation not only introduced remote work to the organization but enabled the creation of an in-house coding team, which reduced the reliance on external consultants and led to substantial operational cost savings. Her initiative reflects her forward-thinking approach to operational efficiency and cost management.
Ms. Fernandez has expanded her skills beyond traditional health information management, diving deeper into revenue cycle management and process improvement. Her work in the revenue cycle has involved assessing workflows, improving processes, and implementing changes to boost key performance indicators. Her contributions have earned her a reputation for consistently going above and beyond her designated responsibilities. CarePoint entrusted her with additional revenue cycle duties, recognizing her potential to drive meaningful change within the organization. She implemented telecommuting policies and procedures well before the COVID-19 pandemic made remote work a necessity. This forward-thinking initiative allowed CarePoint to adapt swiftly to the pandemic, ensuring continuity of operations while saving on costs. Ms. Fernandez’s success in establishing telecommuting policies mirrors her proactive approach to leadership and her ability to identify and address organizational needs ahead of time.
Reflecting on her career, Mrs. Fernandez takes great pride in her impactful role in the HPMP and her transformative work at CarePoint. Her leadership in implementing in-house coding and telecommuting processes, as well as her dedication to staff development and continuous contributions to workflow and revenue cycle improvements, stand out as her most fulfilling accomplishments. They also demonstrate her desire to advance health care operations and support team growth.
Looking ahead, Ms. Fernandez aspires to advance to the role of vice president of revenue cycle/health information management, information governance, or chief operating officer. She envisions a future in a role where she can harness her expertise in revenue cycle management and leverage technology to enhance processes and optimize operational efficiency. She also is interested in finding a position with increased opportunities for remote work, aligning with her telecommuting experience and devotion to work-life balance.
Ms. Fernandez’s impact on the health care field and her contributions to CarePoint exemplify her dedication to improving patient care and organizational efficiency. As she continues to grow in her career, she remains committed to driving positive change in health care management, helping others, and advancing her skills. Her story illustrates the transformative power of hard work, innovation, and a passion for making a difference in the lives of others.