March 4, 2025
An interview with Steve Mims, Founder/CEO
What inspired you to start PBS Radiology?
When I sold my first RCM company, I was required to work for the entity I sold it to for two years. Although they committed to keeping everything the same, after one year they were significantly changing the strategic direction of the company. It was extremely difficult to watch the company I built being turned into an in-house billing operation with complete disregard for my clients. Needless to say, I won’t be doing that again!
As I contemplated my next career move, an opportunity came up to join Tahoe Carson Radiology. I accepted a position as their administrator with the understanding that I would take their in-house billing and turn it into a revenue cycle management company. I definitely wanted another opportunity to start a new RCM.
What has been your biggest motivator as CEO?
I really enjoy being a mentor and watching people grow in their knowledge of the RCM business. Being a part of my staff’s success is extremely fulfilling to me. The second motivation is building the success of our clients and developing those relationships. Our clients are truly part of the PBS family and I am fully committed to their success in this challenging industry. It gets even better when we become more than business partners and develop personal relationships. It doesn’t get much better than hunting, fishing and snow skiing with our clients! We sincerely appreciate them and our relationships.
Radiology RCM is a specialized field—what drew you to this industry, and what do you find most rewarding about it?
I had an unorthodox entry to this field. I was a personal banker and focused on high net worth clients, some of those being physicians. More often than not, physicians would complain about their billing and the need to get that function out of their office. When being promoted at the bank resulted in a fairly significant move, I had a conversation with a radiology client that ended up with a job offer to run their group. As I explained to them my findings of a need for a good RCM company they responded with, “Go start the company, manage our group, and we’ll be your first client.” I couldn’t pass up on that opportunity and resigned from the bank before my first day as their district sales and service manager.
The most rewarding part ties into what motivates me as the CEO. Mentoring and watching employees grow in the field, being a part of our client’s success, applying the knowledge and experience I’ve gained with being in the field since 1991, and the relationships built along the way.
What’s a typical day like for you as the CEO of PBS Radiology? Any routines or habits that keep you productive?
My days are anything but typical, which is one of the things that makes it so much fun. Just when I think I know exactly what I’m going to do on a particular day, I’ll get an email or phone call and go into a completely different direction. Interacting with our leadership team and clients takes up a lot of my days, and the many things involved with running a company with clients/employees throughout the country.
I’m an early riser and enjoy that routine. A hot tub well before sunrise and early morning exercise help keep me sharp. I enjoy the quiet time to help me plan the day ahead. Often there are multiple things needing addressed, so organizing my day is key to being productive and ensuring things don’t get forgotten. I use my email inbox as a to do list by keeping emails that need follow up. For phone calls that need follow-up, I send myself a quick email so it gets in my inbox.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing radiology RCM today, and how is PBS Radiology working to overcome them?
The biggest challenges for us are very similar to the challenges our clients face. Healthcare reimbursements continue to be reduced for our clients’ services and therefore, our revenue is reduced as well. As reimbursements decline, costs continue to increase. Also similar to our clients is the competition and consolidation that has taken place in the RCM industry. At times with competitive rates it can feel like a race to the bottom.
We at PBS Radiology are constantly exploring new ways to do more with less. A large part of that is using technology to improve efficiency and productivity. In addition, we are committed to showing our clients and prospects that we are not a commodity by the value we bring to their practice. Our clients are like family, and we are committed to their success. Our leadership team is made of individuals with a vast amount of experience in managing and building radiology practices, and we bring that expertise to our clients to aid in their success.
What advice would you give to professionals looking to build a successful career in radiology revenue cycle management?
Begin with a good education related to the healthcare industry, look for jobs with medical practices in order to gain an understanding of the challenges they face, move over to an RCM company with an opportunity for growth, seek out good mentors, join reputable organizations like the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), build relationships with others in the field, and never miss an opportunity to grow and learn.
As a leader, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about running a business in the healthcare space?
Be a good listener, always operate with honesty and integrity, be respectful, treat others fairly, accountability, get the right people on your team, and have fun.
Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies or passions?
Spending time with my incredible wife, kids and grandkids, hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, and traveling. I love the mountains and being outdoors.
Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know?
I met my wife when we were both nine and have now been married for 40 years.
Name one thing on your bucket list that you have not yet done.
A trip to Switzerland that’s planned for this summer. I’m going to have to see what’s left in the bucket soon!
If you weren’t in the radiology RCM industry, what career path do you think you’d have pursued?
Investment banking, or business law.
Steve Mims knows financial management. He has provided over twenty years of successful leadership in the areas of billing operations, contract negotiations, strategic planning and business valuations. Bringing extensive revenue cycle knowledge accumulated through his past experience, including executive director of financial services, president and chief executive officer, practice administrator roles across physician practices and payors, Steve’s relentless focus is the business and operational success of our clients. Steve is an active member of RBMA and has served as a past board member of the RBMA. As a former radiology practice administrator, Steve brings unique knowledge and experience to our clients with his expertise in hospital joint ventures, vendor relations, payor contracting and group dynamics.