When a client calls, we show up. When that client is someone like Marathon Medical Associates, and the invite comes from Erin MacNeill, you can bet we packed our bags fast.
Earlier this year, Ryan Benjamin, our Founder, Arielle Bergmann, our Project Manager, and Jennifer Pientka, our Vice President of Client Relations, headed to the 2nd Annual APAPP National Conference in Nashville. It was more than a chance to connect with peers.
It was an opportunity to deepen relationships, share knowledge, explore the future of healthcare, and learn how to better support the incredible providers we work with every day.
In this post, we are taking you behind the scenes of what we saw, felt, and learned. From big ideas on patient care to real conversations about burnout, billing, and technology, here is what made this conference unforgettable and why it matters for every provider out there.
Why Cadence Went to APAPP and What We Brought With Us
We were invited by our client, Erin MacNeill, who not only believes in the work we do together but also saw this event as a space where our strengths could make a difference.
When she suggested we come along, we knew it was about more than just attending; it was about showing up as a partner and advocate.
Ryan, Arielle, and Jennifer didn’t go just to sit and listen. They went to engage, to connect, and to offer insight.
They supported Erin in her training sessions, helped foster connections with other providers, and shared guidance on how to unlock the full potential of the revenue cycle in a space that was buzzing with innovation and passion.
A Closer Look at the Conference Energy
This year’s APAPP Conference was filled with sharp minds, bold conversations, and a shared commitment to moving healthcare forward. You could feel the energy in every room.
From early morning keynotes to late afternoon panels, there was a constant focus on solutions, not just talk.
For us, it was exciting to see just how many of the challenges we work on daily were front and center. Billing and coding complexity. Administrative overload.
The need for more efficient systems that actually support providers. These weren’t just side topics. They were core to the conversation.
What We Learned From the Pulmonary and Critical Care Tracks
Pulmonary and critical care are intense, high-stakes environments where every second and every system matters.
The sessions in these tracks opened our eyes even more to what providers face on the ground. We walked away with powerful insights about:
- New ventilator management protocols
- Updated approaches to sepsis care
- The role of interdisciplinary collaboration in better outcomes
- Burnout prevention and provider wellness
- Health equity and how it ties into better billing and access
Every session was packed with actionable ideas. These weren’t just theoretical updates. They were tools and techniques that could be used in the clinic tomorrow, and ones that Cadence Collaborative can support through smarter billing and streamlined workflows.
Big Trends and What They Mean for Our Work
One thing was crystal clear. Technology is changing everything.
New drugs. New tools. New ways to personalize care. And with all this innovation comes a new layer of complexity in medical billing, coding, and documentation workflows. We saw a clear shift toward proactive care, and that means revenue cycle management has to be just as forward-thinking.
We were especially excited to dive into tools and strategies that help providers:
- Make faster, more accurate clinical decisions
- Reduce delays caused by prior authorizations
- Close the gap between diagnosis and treatment
- Stay fully compliant while still putting patients first
All of this ties directly into Cadence’s mission. We are here to make medical billing services smarter, coding support more efficient, and revenue cycle systems simpler — so providers can spend less time on admin tasks and more time on patient care.
Because at the end of the day, better tech only matters when it helps the people who care for patients breathe a little easier.
How Cadence Turns Insight Into Action
Here’s the thing. We don’t go to events like APAPP just to take notes. We go to grow. To evolve. To bring back knowledge that helps us serve better.
After Nashville, we immediately began looking at how we could apply what we learned. Some of the changes already in motion include:
- Fine-tuning our internal training with updated pulmonary coding practices
- Refreshing our tools to better support interdisciplinary provider teams
- Helping clients explore new technologies while keeping reimbursement on track
- Deepening our support around prior authorizations and health equity
Our goal has always been to remove friction and add value. And this conference gave us new ways to do both.
Ryan’s Vision in Action at APAPP
If you have ever talked with Ryan Benjamin, you know how passionate he is about making life easier for providers. That passion was front and center in Nashville.
At every session, in every hallway conversation, Ryan saw one clear message: providers need more time with patients and less time dealing with broken systems.
Whether it was someone talking about claim denials or a doctor mentioning how long it takes to submit documentation, the pain points were the same.
Ryan’s belief that better billing and smarter workflows can literally change lives was reinforced over and over. For him, it was not just validation, it was fuel.
It reminded all of us at Cadence that what we do is not just admin support. It is healthcare support. And that matters.
Arielle’s Role in Building Real Connections
Behind every powerful partnership is someone who knows how to listen, guide, and bring people together. That is where Arielle Bergmann comes in.
During the conference, Arielle was more than a project manager. She was a connector. She worked closely with Jennifer, helped bridge gaps between providers and pharma reps, and created space for conversations that may lead to real change.
She helped translate tech speak into provider speak. She helped explain how better revenue cycle management can mean better access to care. And most of all, she helped people feel heard. That kind of presence builds trust, and trust builds growth.
Jennifer’s Impact on Client Relationships That Last
Behind every meaningful collaboration is someone who truly understands what clients need and how to deliver it with care, clarity, and consistency. That is exactly what Jennifer Pientka, our Vice President of Client Relations, brought to the table in Nashville.
Jennifer was a steady presence throughout the APAPP conference. She spent time listening closely to the challenges providers face, asking the right questions, and making sure every conversation turned into something actionable.
Her focus was not just on solving problems in the moment, but on building relationships that actually last.
She brought deep insight into how Cadence Collaborative helps practices feel supported, not just with billing and coding, but with long-term strategy. She reminded providers that great revenue cycle management is not just about the numbers. It is about people. It is about trust.
One of those relationships is with Erin MacNeill, whose partnership and trust have played a big part in how we continue to grow and evolve our client approach. Jennifer’s time with Erin at the event was a perfect example of how strong collaboration, backed by real listening, can lead to meaningful outcomes for both providers and patients.
Promising Partnerships and Fresh Collaborations
One of the most exciting parts of any conference is who you meet. And in Nashville, we met some incredible people.
We had real conversations with drug representatives, clinical leaders, and other advanced practice providers. And what stood out was this shared goal: make healthcare better by making it smoother.
Some of the topics that sparked future collaborations:
- How to streamline prior authorizations
- Reducing wait times and paperwork for patients
- Improving patient access through smarter back-end systems
- Supporting new medication rollouts with clean billing processes
None of these conversations was about selling. They were about solving. That is how we like to do business. We are not here to push services. We are here to partner with those who want to make care better, together.
Advice for Anyone Thinking About Attending Next Year
If you are on the fence about attending the next APAPP conference, here is our honest take: Go.
Whether you are a billing company, a provider group, a tech startup in healthcare, or someone looking to better understand the day-to-day challenges providers face, APAPP is the place to be.
You will walk away with:
- New perspectives
- Real connections
- Actionable ideas
- A much clearer view of what providers truly need
And maybe most importantly, you will leave reminded of why this work matters.
A Heartfelt Message to the APAPP Community
To everyone we met in Nashville, and to the entire APAPP community, thank you.
Thank you for your passion. For your questions. For your drive to push healthcare forward, even when it is hard. We see you, we support you, and we are right there with you.
At Cadence Collaborative, we are committed to helping you do what you do best. We will keep learning, evolving, and showing up not just for conferences, but for every challenge you face in your practice.
Whether it is reducing billing errors, simplifying workflows, or giving you a better view of your revenue cycle, we are here to support the providers behind the care. Always.
What’s Next for Cadence After the Conference
Since coming back from Nashville, we have been buzzing with ideas. Here is a sneak peek at what is on our radar now:
- Enhancing our training modules with the newest pulmonary protocols
- Exploring integrations with the tools we discovered at APAPP
- Launching a pilot to streamline specialty drug billing
- Strengthening our internal team’s understanding of provider wellness and how billing impacts it
- Sharing what we learned with our existing clients to help them grow faster and with less stress
We are not just inspired. We are in motion.
Final Thoughts From Nashville
The APAPP conference reminded us why we do what we do.
At Cadence Collaborative, we believe that healthcare works better when providers are supported.
When they are not stuck chasing claims or dealing with denied codes. When they have partners who understand their world and know how to clear the clutter.
We left Nashville with more than notes. We left with a purpose.
So here is to all the providers, managers, reps, and changemakers we met. Let’s keep building something better together.
Curious how we can help your practice thrive? We’re ready when you are. Explore how our services remove the friction from billing and give providers their time back. Contact us today!
