Care Decoded – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome back to Care Decoded, the podcast where we make sense of the fast-evolving world of documentation, coding, and clinical AI to power better patient care. In today’s episode, host Michael Lesnik welcomes healthcare innovation and policy leader Dr. Shannon Decker for a deep dive into the major changes facing risk adjustment as we approach 2026.

You’ll hear Michael Lesnik and Dr. Shannon Decker tackle the ripple effects of a recent court ruling that vacated CMS’s RADV final rule and what that means for audit compliance, health plans, and provider groups. As the landscape shifts, they’ll explore how AI is revolutionizing regulatory oversight, the urgent need for data accuracy, and why quality and total cost of care matter more than ever in the value-based care era.

This episode is packed with practical insights for health plan leaders and providers alike, including firsthand stories, strategies to shore up documentation workflows, and tips for staying competitive as technology and compliance expectations accelerate. If you want to be ready for the future of risk-based contracting and avoid common blind spots, you won’t want to miss it.

Timestamps:

00:00 "CMS Compliance Pause Insights"

06:26 AI in Medical Data Challenges

07:12 "Good Data is Essential"

10:16 "Risk Adjustment Impacts Provider Groups"

14:15 AI Advancements and Hiring Delay

17:27 Improving Claims & Patient Care

22:15 Optimize Documentation and Systems Effectively

24:49 Risk Improvement Strategies

31:18 Renegotiating Contracts and Data Strategy

32:16 Streamlining Medical Record Management

35:24 Unfair CAHPS Survey Impact

41:05 Advancing Physician Support Effectively

44:30 Investing for Growth and Healthcare Challenges

46:13 "Thoughtful System Implementation Strategy"

49:12 "Risk Adjustment: Accuracy Matters"

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to Care Decoded, the podcast where we simplify the complex world of healthcare documentation, coding, and clinical AI so we can power better care, today and for the future. In this episode, Dr. Sunil Nihalani is joined by Dr. Stella Onuoha-Obilor, a nationally recognized leader in clinical quality and population health. Her track record speaks volumes: she’s driven high-star ratings, optimized value-based programs, and built systems that put patient outcomes at the heart of performance.

Together, they dive into how data leadership and human insight are converging to reshape quality and population health in the value-based era. With new CMS measures and a growing focus on health equity, it’s no longer enough to just check boxes; organizations must push beyond compliance and harness data for real clinical transformation. From bridging teams and building trust to leveraging AI and advanced analytics, Dr. Stella Onuoha-Obilor shares actionable strategies for moving from metrics to meaningful impact.

If you’re curious about the future of healthcare, how technology can actually make care more compassionate, and what it takes to sustain high performance in a fast-evolving landscape, this episode has insights you won’t want to miss. Let’s decode care together.

Timestamps:

00:00 Redefining Quality in Value-Based Care

03:48 "Whole Patient Care Focus"

08:11 Personalized Care Through Data Leadership

12:10 "Data Governance for Transparency"

16:23 "Data Drives Healthcare Decisions"

19:47 "Data Trust and Stewardship Challenges"

24:05 Proactive Healthcare Through Real-Time Data

26:34 People-Driven Leadership for Success

28:07 "Transformational Leadership for Progress"

32:29 Transforming Care: Data, KPIs, Trust

35:34 "Optimizing Care, Restoring Joy"

39:40 Future-Proofing Organizational Success

42:44 "Proactive Healthcare Transformation"

45:15 "Future of Value-Based Care"

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to Care Decoded! In this episode, we dive into the second part of our RADV miniseries, shifting focus from what RADV is, to the crucial role of frontline providers in ensuring accurate, defensible documentation as part of everyday care. Host Mark McKeown is joined once again by Colleen Gianatasio, an expert in risk adjustment and value-based care with over 20 years of experience.

Together, they explore why provider documentation is the foundation for RADV compliance, the biggest barriers clinicians face in meeting documentation requirements, and how the right technology, like AI-driven coding support, can help bridge the gap between compliance demands and real-world clinical practice. 

You’ll hear practical strategies for reducing provider burnout, cultivating a culture of accuracy, and fostering effective collaboration between plans and providers, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a stronger, more resilient healthcare system. Let’s keep decoding care together!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by any participants in this podcast recording are solely their own and do not represent any organization they worked for in the past or present.

Timestamps:

00:00 "RAD V: Provider Role & Technology"

04:08 Coding vs. Clinical Guidelines Conflict

07:08 Advancing Patient Care Through Coding

11:47 Optimizing Patient-Provider Time

14:39 Celebrate Success, Share Best Practices

17:00 Concluding RAD V Miniseries

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome to a brand new episode of Care Decoded! In this episode, host Mark McKeown is joined by renowned risk adjustment and coding expert Colleen Gianatasio to kick off a special two-part series diving into CMS’s heightened focus on RADV (Risk Adjustment Data Validation) audits. As Medicare Advantage plans face unprecedented scrutiny with CMS now pledging to audit all eligible contracts every year, the stakes have never been higher for compliance, documentation, and risk management.

Together, Mark and Colleen unravel the far-reaching impact of these changes across the healthcare industry, from the increased resource demands on health plans to building a culture of compliance and leveraging people, process, and technology for audit readiness. Drawing on her expertise, Colleen shares actionable strategies for integrating risk adjustment compliance into the fabric of organizations, explains the most common pitfalls in documentation and coding, and explores how AI and prospective tools can improve audit outcomes.

Whether you’re part of a health plan, provider group, or just interested in the world of healthcare compliance, this episode is packed with practical advice and insights on navigating the evolving landscape of RADV audits and value-based care. Tune in as we decode the latest industry challenges and get ready for the next episode, where we’ll dive deeper into the provider’s role in RADV success.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by any participants in this podcast recording are solely their own and do not represent any organization they worked for in the past or present.

Timestamps:

00:00 Medicare Advantage Under Scrutiny

06:18 Proactive RADV SWAT Strategy

07:18 Continuous Provider Communication Strategy

12:17 Top Coding Issues in Risk Adjustment

15:29 Optimizing Risk Adjustment with Data Analytics

19:34 Risk Adjustment Reporting Overhaul

23:09 Prospective Risk Beats Retro Adjustment

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome to another episode of Care Decoded, the podcast where we break down the most pressing issues in modern healthcare. In today’s episode, host Michael Lesnik, VP of Provider Sales at Inferscience, sits down with Dr. Sunil Nihalani, CEO of Inferscience and a practicing physician, to unravel the complexities of “care gaps”, those critical yet often overlooked opportunities to improve patient care and outcomes.

Drawing on over fifteen years of experience in healthcare IT and value-based care, Michael and Dr. Nihalani dive deep into why care gaps persist, the challenges providers face in closing them, and why it’s about more than just checking a box on a metric sheet. From the realities of data accuracy and insurance hurdles to the vital importance of patient communication and trust, this episode explores the human side of healthcare quality. You'll also hear firsthand strategies for closing care gaps effectively, how technology, including AI, is changing the landscape, and why these efforts matter for both health equity and patient relationships.

Whether you’re a healthcare provider, a member of a clinical team, or simply passionate about better patient care, this conversation offers practical insights and fresh ideas to help you and your organization “decode” the intricacies of care gap closure.

Let’s get started!

Timestamps:

00:00 "Optimizing Patient Care Opportunities"

05:17 Patient Data and Trust Issues

08:07 Patient Education on Health Screenings

13:32 "Small Practice, High Ratings Success"

14:18 AI's Role in Healthcare Gaps

18:57 AI-Powered Care Gap Detection

23:11 "Closing Care Gaps: A Holistic Approach"

23:50 "Decoding Care Together"

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to Care Decoded, the podcast where we make sense of the evolving world of healthcare documentation, coding, and clinical AI. In today’s episode, hosts Dr. Sunil Nihalani and Biodun Kajopaiye, Risk Adjustment and Stars Manager at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, dive into the seismic changes brought about by version 28 of the CMS HCC risk adjustment model. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the world of risk adjustment, this episode will break down exactly what V28 is, how it’s shaking up provider and health plan workflows, and why specificity in documentation is more crucial than ever. From the altered landscape of risk score coefficients for common conditions like diabetes and obesity, to the growing role of pharmacy data and the challenges these shifts bring to providers, Dr. Nihalani and Biodun Kajopaiye share real-world insights, actionable advice, and strategies to help you lead with confidence through this moment of major change. If you want to understand how policy updates connect with patient care on the ground, you’re in the right place: let’s get decoding!

Timestamps:

00:00 Healthcare Advocate and Risk Adjustment Expert

06:29 "Improving Diagnosis Documentation and Risk Management"

10:25 RADV Impact on Health Providers

12:04 Risk Adjustment Incentives Explained

15:20 Health Care's Shift to Value-Based Contracts

18:28 Reducing Stress in Healthcare Providers

24:03 Towards Focused Healthcare Management

25:51 Optimizing Risk Adjustment Strategies

29:40 "Prioritize Clinical Perspective First"

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome back to Care Decoded, the show where we break down the complexities of risk adjustment, documentation, and the evolving role of AI in healthcare. In today’s episode, host Lucy Medina sits down with Dr. Sunil Nihalani, CEO of Inferscience and practicing physician, to tackle a topic that hits close to home for every clinician: documentation burnout. Together, they pull back the curtain on how clunky EHR systems, endless documentation demands, and poorly designed workflows are taking a toll not just on clinicians’ efficiency but also on their emotional well-being, patient relationships, and even financial outcomes.

From the frustrations of lost patient moments to the hidden costs of delayed or inadequate documentation, Lucy and Dr. Nihalani explore the very real burdens today’s healthcare professionals face. But it's not all doom and gloom; they’ll also shed light on how AI-powered tools and smarter EHR integrations are starting to transform the landscape, offering hope for a future where technology truly works in service of both providers and patients.

If you’re a clinician who’s ever felt buried under paperwork or a health system leader looking for real solutions, this conversation is for you. Let’s decode the path from burden to benefit together.

Timestamps:

00:00 Disruptive Documentation in Healthcare

04:16 Physician Documentation Overload

07:05 EHR Challenges Impacting Patient Care

10:52 "Ambient Scribe: AI in Practice"

16:10 Dual Life: Doctor and Entrepreneur

17:51 Improved Data Flow in Healthcare

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome to another episode of Care Decoded, the show where we break down the complexities of risk adjustment, documentation, and AI to power better healthcare. In today’s episode, host Dr. Sunil Nihalani is joined by Subbu Ramalingam — a seasoned former health plan executive and expert at the intersection of star ratings, risk adjustment, and healthcare quality.

Together, Sunil and Subbu dig into why star ratings aren’t just about checking boxes, but about truly improving patient care and experience. They discuss how health plans and providers can bridge the often-siloed worlds of risk adjustment and quality improvement and why accurate data and collaboration are key to better — and more meaningful — outcomes.

You’ll hear real-world examples illustrating how documentation and coding impact patient care, the latest updates on CMS risk adjustment data validation (RADV) audits, and why aligning risk and quality programs matters more than ever. Plus, Subbu shares actionable advice for healthcare leaders looking to turn mountains of data into engines for quality while keeping the patient at the center of it all.

If you’re a healthcare leader, clinician, or just passionate about making sense of the care ecosystem, this episode is packed with the insights you need to help decode the path toward better care. Let’s dive in!

Timestamps:

00:00 Data's Role in Meaningful Care

04:01 Optimizing Patient Care Experience

09:37 Risk Adjustment and Eligibility Alignment

14:00 Coordinating Care for Diabetic Members

17:48 CMS Launches Overdue RAD Audits

20:29 Enhancing Health Plan Audit Processes

22:35 Healthcare Industry Shift Forecast

27:16 Health Plan Overdocumentation Issues

31:02 Healthcare System Risk Score Management

33:38 Aligning Health KPIs and Outcomes

35:56 Chronic Care Spending Concerns

40:19 Healthcare Data Interoperability Challenges

43:18 Integrating Home Data in Care

Subbu Ramalingham - https://www.linkedin.com/in/subburamalingam/

ATTAC Consulting Group (ACG) - https://www.attacconsulting.com/

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Welcome to the very first episode of Care Decoded, where we peel back the layers of healthcare innovation with people who are reshaping the industry from the inside. In this episode, Dr. Sunil Nihalani, Founder and CEO at Inferscience, dives into his unconventional journey from his childhood in India where his family was far from medicine to the creation of Inferscience, a company dedicated to making risk adjustment and clinical documentation more efficient for physicians and payers.

Sunil tackles some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today, like navigating clunky electronic medical records (EMRs), the true pain points behind documentation, and how artificial intelligence is poised to actually help rather than just add to the hype. Sunil shares personal stories from his career, what inspired him to move from bedside care to tech entrepreneurship, and why he believes thoughtful technology can actually give doctors back the time and passion for patient care.

If you’re a physician bogged down by endless paperwork, a healthcare leader or a payer looking for real examples of AI making a difference, or just curious about how risk adjustment is impacting patient care and funding, this episode will inspire and maybe even challenge your views. Let’s get decoding!

Timestamps:

00:00 Improving Patient Care with EMRs

06:09 Unexpected Breakthrough in Risk Adjustment

09:37 Importance of Accurate Medical Documentation

11:21 AI Scribes Improve Clinical Efficiency

16:21 Physician Data Review Challenges

18:27 Physician-Led Healthcare AI Innovation

22:18 Medical Imaging & Prior Authorization Rules

25:10 Global Tool for Physician Data Summarization

26:58 Balancing Gratification and Business Challenges

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”

Care Decoded is the go-to podcast for clinicians, health plan leaders, and quality champions navigating the evolving world of risk adjustment, value-based care, and smarter documentation. Hosted by Inferscience, this show takes you inside the workflows, decisions, and technologies that turn clinical complexity into clarity. From demystifying HCCs and RAF scores to decoding CMS changes and exploring the impact of AI, we help you understand the data behind every diagnosis.

This show isn't about theory. It's about impact. Not about compliance. But confidence. Not about more clicks. But clarity at the point of care.

If you're building the future of care – one chart, one visit, one code at a time – Care Decoded is your ultimate guide.

Podcast's Website - https://caredecoded.com/

Dr. Sunil Nihalani - CEO and Founder at Inferscience - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunil-nihalani-a6983a5/

Inferscience - https://www.inferscience.com/

Podcast Powered by TopHealth - https://tophealth.care/

“Disclaimer: Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your doctor for guidance.”