Revenue leakage uncovered: An AI-driven approach to reducing the cost to collect

Revenue cycle management is under mounting pressure: denials are rising, staffing is shrinking, and margins are tightening. This session brings together Cognizant’s Pavithra Srinivasan and Mike Wells to unpack what’s really driving revenue leakage in healthcare today and how Agentic AI is changing the equation.

Unlike point solutions or simple bots, Agentic AI can understand, reason, and act autonomously across the entire revenue cycle. Backed by fresh industry data, this webinar explores where the biggest denial and revenue opportunities lie, how automation is evolving from rules-based RPA to autonomous agents, and what providers can do now to prepare their organizations for this shift.

Whether your organization is just beginning to explore AI or already piloting use cases, this session offers a practical, data-backed roadmap for turning denial management from a reactive cost center into a proactive growth lever.

• The state of denials today, the industry data behind rising denial rates, the top root causes, and why front-end and intake issues drive most preventable denials.
• How the denials “vicious cycle” compounds, more denials leading to more rework, staff burnout, and cash flow impact — and the only proven way to break it.
• The evolution of automation from rules-based RPA to Agentic AI, and the three operating modes (Copilot, Autopilot, Autonomous) reshaping RCM workflows.
• Where to start and what to safeguard: practical, low-complexity use cases for fast wins, plus the security, guardrail, and oversight priorities every provider needs in place.

Mike Wells

Deputy General Manager, AI and Automation, Healthcare Provider — Cognizant

Michael Wells leads AI and Automation for Cognizant Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), where he drives the development and deployment of intelligent solutions that transform how healthcare providers and payers operate. He has a decade of experience building AI and machine learning systems across the full healthcare ecosystem, from clinical and administrative workflows on the provider side to claims processing and cost management on the payer side.

A recognized practitioner in applied AI, Michael is focused on delivering solutions that move beyond proof of concept into measurable operational impact. At Cognizant, he is at the forefront of defining what AI-enabled revenue cycle looks like at scale.

Pavithra Srinivasan

Engagement Delivery Partner and Transformation Leader, Healthcare RCM — Cognizant

Pavithra brings over 24 years of deep domain expertise in Healthcare RCM Operations, Technology-enabled Transformation, and large-scale Program Delivery. In her current role at Cognizant, she serves as a trusted advisor to some of the largest health systems, hospitals, and revenue cycle management organizations. She leads complex, multi-year engagements focused on end-to-end RCM optimization, digital modernization and performance turnaround initiatives that constantly deliver measurable financial and operational impact. Pavithra is widely recognized for her ability to blend strategic vision with meticulous execution – A process re-engineering expert with a proven track of ideating, conceptualizing, and implementing new age solutions. She is a passionate advocate for holistic approach and champions people-centric transformation. Her programs emphasize change management, upskilling teams, and building sustainable operating models that outlast the engagement.