THOMAS J. FORCE Esq.
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
As a state and federally licensed attorney in both New Jersey and New York, a former U.S. Marine, Mr. Force has over 34 years of experience in the healthcare and insurance industries. His success as a Wall Street insurance litigator and his tenure as General Counsel for a New York-based Accident and Health Insurance Company where he served as Chief Compliance Officer propelled the founding of The Patriot Group.
Mr. Force is nationally recognized as an expert in revenue collection techniques, appeal strategies and healthcare compliance.
Mr. Force is on the Advisory Board at Hunter Business School, a New York-based school for medical billing and coding students.
Mr. Force remains an active member and frequent speaker on managed care and collection techniques for the Health Finance Management Association, several state medical associations and other healthcare organizations.
Thomas J. Force, J.D, Esq, President of The Patriot Group, has been selected by the Health Finance Management Association – Metropolitan Section to serve as moderator for its forum on Clinical Denial Management at Hofstra University on March 29th 2022. Please email Mr. Force anyone that wants more information on this forum.
| 02/10/12 | “Effective Strategies in Revenue Recovery” for HMFA Metropolita Chapter |
| 10/11/12 | “Using ERISA to your claims paid” for Metropolitan New York Chapter |
| 04/04/13 | Update and Developments in the Area of Out-of-Network Claims for American Medical Association/Federation Steering Committee and work groups |
| 08/09/13 | Enough is Enough”. Fight Back!!! Generate more Revenue for your Practice for Arizona Pain Treatment Centers and Weight Loss Institute of Arizona |
| 11/07/13 | “The Balance Billing Dilemma - Out-of-Network Provider Beware”for Audioeducator |
| 05/05/14 | “Balance Billing for Out-of-Network Providers” for Audioeducator |
| 06/13/14 | “Enough is Enough. Fight Back!!! Generate More Money for your Practice” for The National Society of Certified Healthcare Business Consultants |
| 10/07/14 | “Fight a Health Plan Recoupment or SIU Investigation” for The North Metro Medical Managers Association |
| 01/07/15 | “New ERISA Protections for Laboratories and Pathology Groups:How to Defend Against Recoupments, Repayment Demands and SIU Audits |
| 03/27/15 | “Federal Prompt Payment and Recoupments” for HFMA Metropolitan Chapter |
| 04/09/15 | “Recent Developments in the Area of ERISA: What the Health Plans Don’t Want You to Know” for Suffolk County Bar Association |
| 05/01/15 | “Everything You Need to Know About ERISA – Regulated Health Plans” for Medical Society of New Jersey – 2nd Annual Physician’s Conference |
| 08/11/15 | “Recoupments for Unsupported Services and Failure to Balance Bill Out-of-Network Patients – Your Best Defense” for Audio Educator |
| 01/12/16 | “Lessons Learned from Recent Health Plan Federal Lawsuits Against Out-of-Network Healthcare Providers Based Upon Fee Forgiveness and Other Relevant Litigation” for Audioeducator |
| 02/24/16 | “Lessons Learned from Recent Health Plan Federal Lawsuits Against Our-of-Network Healthcare Providers Based Upon Fee Forgiveness and Other Relevant Litigation” for New Jersey Chiropractors Association |
| 02/29/16 | “How to Succeed in the New Out-of-Network World” for Webinar Plane |
| 05/26/16 & 01/12/17 | “The Nuts and Bolts of Being an Out-of-Network Medical Practice in the 21 Century for Audio Educator |
| 08/03/16 | “Cigna v. Humble Surgical Hospital – It’s Impact on Balance Billing an Out-of-Network Healthcare Provider” for Audioeducator |
| 08/15/16 | “How to Defend Against Recoupments, Repayment Demands and SIU Audits “ for Doctors Management (DRSMgmt.com) |
| 10/27/16 | “Update of Federal Litigation Affecting Out-of-Network Providers –Balance Billing, Assignment of Benefit Cases and More” for Audio Educator |
| 11/03/16 | “Nuts and Bolts of Out-of-Network Revenue Recovery” for Audioeducator |
| 12/01/16 | “How to Defend Against Insurance Company Recoupments, Repayment Demands and SIU Audits” for HFMA Metropolitan Chapter |
| 01/12/17 | “The Nuts and Bolts of Being an Out-of-Network Medical Practice in the 21st Century” for Audio Educato |
| 03/16/17 | “Cigna v. Humble Surgical Hospital – Its Impact on Balance Billing and Out-of-Network Healthcare Provider” for Audioeducator |
| 05/11/17 | “Updates on Fraud Investigations Against Healthcare Providers” for Audioeducator |
| 11/28/17 | “The Nuts and Bolts of Being an Out-of-Network Medical Practice in the 21st Century” for Advanced Orthopedics Sports Medicine |
| 12/09/17 | “Insurance Coverage – Pier Surgery” for Dr. Sheryl Lewin – Microtier Association |
| 01/31/18 | “Strategies and Tips for Out-of-Network Revenue Recovery” for The Dark intelligence Group |
| 04/02/18 | “Tips for Out-of-Network Revenue Recovery” for HFMA Metropolitan Chapter |
| 04/19/18 | “The Medical Billing Assessment: How to Increase the Revenue of an Out-of-Network Practice for Audio Educator |
| 05/17/18 | “Hold Your Payors Accountable: An Inside Look at Revenue Recovery, Effective Appeals and Denial Management” for Audioeducator |
| 07/31/18 | “The Balance Bill Requirement for Out-of-Network Healthcare Providers: Why Out-of-Network Providers Must Balance Bill Their Patients” for Audioeducator |
| 09/13/18 | “How to Read, Analyze and Interpret a Summary Plan Description and Why the SPD is Important to OON Providers” for Audioeducato |
| 11/01/18 | “Use an Out-of-Network Workflow to Maximize Reimbursement” for Audioeducator |
| 02/07/19 | “Make 2019 the Year Your Office Maximizes Revenue and Minimizes Claims Errors” for Audioeducator |
| 10/09/19 | “How to Defend Against Recoupments, Repayment Demands and SIU Audits “ FactSheetResearch.com |
| 12/03/19 | “The Balance Bill Requirement for Out-of-Network Healthcare Providers: Why Out-of-Network Providers Must Balance Bill Their Patients” for SkillAcquireUpdate.com |
| 1/19/20 | “How to Defend Against Insurance Company Audits and Recoupments” for NAMS |
| 1/21/20 | “Recoupment Defense” for FactSheetResearch.com |
| 3/12/20 | “Drafting Effective Appeals and Defense of Recoupments” for Maine Osteopathic Association |
| 8/27/20 | “Lessons Learned from Cigna and Aetna Cases against Humble Hospital” for WebinarPlanet.com |
| 09/01/20 | “Drafting Effective Appeals and Defense of Recoupments” for Professional Educations, LLC |
| 09/08/20 | “The Balance Bill Requirement for Out-of-Network Healthcare Providers” for JUZTwebinars.com |
| 09/16/20 | “Drafting an Effective Appeal Letter” for HFMA Metropolitan Chapter |
| 09/23/20 | “How to Defend Against Insurance Company Recoupments, Repayment Demands and SIU Audits” for HFMA Metropolitan Chapter |
| 11/03/20 | “How to Appeal SIU Audit” for NAMAS/2nd Annual Audit & Compliance Conference |
| 03/17/21 | “No Surprise Act” for Illinois AA HAM |
| 03/23/21 | “The New Federal No Surprise Act and Impact on the Out-of-Network Provider” for WebinarPlanet.com |
| 05/18/21 | An Effective Out-of-Network Workflow to Increase Reimbursement and Stop Complaint” for JustWebinars.com |
| 07/14/21 | “How to Defend Against Insurance Company Audits and Recoupments” for Illinois AA HAM |
| 11/09/21 | “No Surprise Act: Summary of Act and Interim Final Rules |
| 11/12/21 | “No Surprise Act: Summary of ACT and Interim Final Rules” for HFMA Metropolitan Chapter |
| 12/4/21 | No Surprise Act: Summary of ACT and Interim Final Rules” for Consortium of Private Epilepsy Centers |
| 03/10/22 | “Clinical Denials” – Moderator at Hofstra University for HFMA Metropolitan Chapter |
| 04/14/22 | “Understanding the NSA: New Rules for Surprise/Balance Billing” for American Osteopathic Association |
| 06/15/22 | “Get Reimbursed: Succeeding with Medical and Dental Coordination of /Benefits and Non-Covered Services in the OMS Office: for American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons |
| 08/31/22 | “Drafting Effective Appeals for Denial and Under-Reimbursement of Medical Claims” for WebinarPlanet.com |
| 10/13/22 | “How to Defend Against Recoupments, Repayment Demands and SIU Audits” |
MICHELE FORCE
FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Michele Force has over 30 years of experience as a Senior Executive in Operations, Sales and Customer Service for a West-Coast 3,000+ person technology company focused on the insurance industry. She has worked with some of the largest insurance organizations in the country and has developed extensive experience in technology infrastructure, and techniques to increase client profitability. As a result, Mrs. Force has developed significant high-level contacts at various insurance companies and other insurance-related organizations.
Mrs. Force is a very polished, and experienced senior executive. She generally manages day-to-day activities and client interface while spearheading technology initiatives within The Patriot Group. “As Chief Executive Officer, I believe what matters most are the relationships we build with our clients. My team strives to deeply understand our client’s goals, problems and needs. The better we understand the dynamics of their practice, the better we can help them maximize revenue. Our goal is their long-term success. We can help our clients succeed by being a trusted, loyal partner who ensures they get the most dedicated and passionate team working for them.”