A HFMA ANI Postcard is Worth a Thousand Words

I’m heading back to Vegas this weekend, as the world of healthcare finance, compliance and IT gets ready to converge at Mandalay Bay for the annual HFMA ANI show. It seems like I was just there for HIMSS, somewhat under the weather the entire time thanks to East Coast jet lag. Hopefully this time around the warmer weather and smaller event (and hopefully better wifi throughout) will help me to spend more time on the show floor, checking out EHR-related technologies and clever marketing gimmicks. (I still remember the Captain Jack look-alike from last year’s show, and the great caricature I got at Paragon Revenue’s booth.) I might also end up showing our fearless leader John Lynn around, as he attends for the first time.

I’ve been stockpiling postcards from vendors as they’ve arrived in my mailbox, sending out a tweet here and there if one strikes my fancy for no particular reason. (I didn’t receive a single one prior to HIMSS, oddly enough.) I’ve culled a few that caught my attention, either for their EHR tie-ins or marketing schtick. Here are a few of my favorites, with additional details in case you feel like stopping by their booths.

EHR-Related

Microsoft Dynamics for Healthcare
Booth #1163
Solution: MazikCare, an EMR/ERP Solution built on Microsoft Dynamics AX2012
My take: Since they picture the EMR on a mobile phone, I’ll likely stop by to have a larger conversation around mobile health. I might even see if they’ve got a new Surface tablet just lying around, waiting to be tested.
Giveaway: Windows phones, free training

M*Modal
Booth #750
Solution: an EHR that helps maximize value, according to the postcard
My take: I’d be interested to learn just HOW their EHR maximizes value.
Giveaway: $500 donation to the charity of your choice

Cutest

TransUnion
Booth # 528
Solution: Smart revenue cycle solutions
Giveaway: potentially an iPad 3, provided you play their trivia game first

Most Clever

Parallon Connect
Booth # 844
Giveaway: Invites to a special HFMA concert featuring Eddie Money, $1,000 Best Buy gift card

Best for Book Lovers

Medical Management Professionals
Booth #1043
My take: Being a book lover, I’m very interested to see what titles their Emergency Medicine Book Club will be reading in the coming months.
Giveaway: “If Disney Ran Your Hospital – 9 ½ Things You Would Do Differently” by Fred Lee

Most Intriguing (and Best for Those with Lots of Dexterity)

Emdeon
Booth # 608
My take: Their Cash Stacker challenges intrigue me. I’ve never heard of the “Tube Topper,” “Stack Nicklaus,” “Popstackle,” “Chopped Nuts,” or “Change it Up,” but perhaps I don’t go to Vegas enough.
Giveaway: iPads and cash

By Far the Biggest

Athenahealth
Booth #1629
My take: The size of the postcard certainly got my attention, as did the blurb about the “athenaCoordinator, athenahealth’s cloud-based care coordination service.”
Giveaway: Kindle 4

Most Charitable

US Bank
Booth #1461
My take: Their partnership with Children’s Miracle Network hospitals will prompt me to definitely stop by their booth, as they’ll make a donation to the network for every business card received.
Giveaway: Warm fuzzies

SPi Healthcare
Booth #1645
My take: While I didn’t receive a postcard from them, the email I did receive caught my attention for its call for attendees to stop by and enter its charity poker chip drawing. For every entry, SPi will donate $1 to Helping Kids Clinic
Giveaway: $100 poker chips

So there you have it, folks! These are just a sneak peek into the many companies that will be exhibiting at the show. I’m looking forward to learning about many more, and sharing my recap in next week’s post. If you’re going to be there, feel free to send me a “let’s connect” tweet via @SmyrnaGirl. I can’t guarantee I won’t be wearing my Elvis glasses.

About the author

Jennifer Dennard

As Social Marketing Director at Billian, Jennifer Dennard is responsible for the continuing development and implementation of the company's social media strategies for Billian's HealthDATA and Porter Research. She is a regular contributor to a number of healthcare blogs and currently manages social marketing channels for the Health IT Leadership Summit and Technology Association of Georgia’s Health Society. You can find her on Twitter @JennDennard.

   

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