Inside the Practice

In this episode of Inside the Practice, Olivia Wolf and Matt Shortt sit down with Nikki Slusher and Michelle Chouinard of Thrive Payments to talk about one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of medical practice operations: patient payments and front-end financial communication.

Together, they explore how payment technology, patient expectations, and operational workflows intersect, and why clear communication around balances, copays, and payment options matters for both the patient experience and practice sustainability. The conversation also covers implementation challenges, staff buy-in, security concerns, and the future of mobile-first payment tools in healthcare.

This episode offers practical insight for practice leaders looking to improve collections, reduce administrative burden, and create a smoother financial experience for patients.

Creators and Guests

Host
Matthew Shortt
Matthew Shortt is a respected healthcare leader with extensive experience in musculoskeletal care, clinical operations, and organizational leadership. He has over a decade of clinical practice in orthopedics, including founding and managing a successful private orthopedic practice in Blacksburg, VA. Throughout his career, Matthew has also served as a clinical preceptor and lecturer for multiple physician assistant programs, mentoring future healthcare providers.
Host
Olivia Wolf
Olivia J. Wolf, MBA, CPC, is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 25 years of experience across medical coding, revenue cycle, clinical operations, practice administration, and business development.

What is Inside the Practice?

Inside the Practice is our monthly podcast featuring longer, in-depth conversations with physicians, practice leaders, and industry experts. Each episode dives into the real challenges and opportunities facing medical practices today, offering insights and strategies to help you stay informed, adaptable, and ready for what’s next.