When Janice wants to analyze her Medicare billing process, what is the team's first step?

In analyzing a Medicare billing process, the first essential step is to determine process boundaries and the desired level of detail. This phase is crucial because it defines the scope of the analysis. By setting clear boundaries, Janice and her team can identify what aspects of the billing process will be included in the analysis and which elements can be excluded.

This step also involves deciding how detailed the analysis needs to be. Understanding the level of detail required helps ensure that the analysis is neither too broad, risking the omission of critical elements, nor too narrow, which could lead to an incomplete picture. Establishing boundaries also aids in focusing the team's efforts on the most relevant components of the billing process, setting the stage for subsequent steps such as identifying key performance indicators, creating flowcharts, and mapping stakeholder interactions.

Overall, determining boundaries and the desired level of detail provides a solid foundation for the entire process analysis and ensures that the team is aligned on what they aim to achieve.