Columbus Community Hospital Announces New Patient Accounts Chargemaster

Columbus Community Hospital has named Lisa Drueppel the new chargemaster of its patient accounts department. Drueppel officially started the position Jan. 31, 2022.

As chargemaster, she creates new charge codes for products, supplies and procedures purchased and performed at the hospital. This includes prescription drugs, laboratory testing, room fees, diagnostic testing and professional fees.

“I enjoy challenges,” said Drueppel. “This position offered a challenge. A hospital may offer thousands of products or services, and there’s a chargemaster entry to each one.”

Drueppel started working for the hospital in October 2013 as the receptionist at the Visiting Physicians Clinic. In 2017, she transferred to Occupational Health Services and served as the billing/consortium coordinator. In 2021, she moved to patient accounts and served as a patient accounts associate.

“Lisa comes to patient accounts with more than 10 years of health care experience in both a billing and management role,” said Rebecca Turner, director of patient accounts and registration services at the hospital. “She has been in patient accounts almost one year, so she is very familiar with the software, which leads to a smooth transition into the chargemaster role.”

Prior to her time at the hospital, Drueppel worked as an office manager at Midwest OB-GYN in Norfolk, Nebraska; a receptionist at Columbus Physical Therapy; and a receptionist at Alegent, Creighton Clinic, which is now CHI Health. She brings a wealth of billing knowledge to the chargemaster role.

“Working in different aspects of health care gives her a large knowledge base to help understand the various procedures performed at the hospital,” said Turner.

Drueppel grew up on a farm north of Clarkson, Nebraska. Her family raised cattle and hogs and grew beans, corn, oats and wheat. She’s the youngest of four children.

“My parents worked hard and proved that faith, values, morals and work ethic will get you as far as you choose to go in life,” she said. “I am thankful to the hospital for the opportunity to grow within the company.” 

Drueppel and her husband, Tony, live in Schuyler, Nebraska. They have five children and seven grandchildren.

For more information on Columbus Community Hospital, please visit www.columbushosp.org.