Healthcare labor union activity gains steam: The consequences for hospitals and health systems
Note: The lead section of this article was updated Oct. 16 with news of a tentative agreement between Kaiser Permanente and the unions. When around 75,000 staff at Kaiser Permanente went on strike for three days starting Oct. 4, they represented more than just the largest-ever labor stoppage in the healthcare industry. They also exemplified…
HHS: Insurers won’t be penalized if they don’t update their No Surprises Act qualifying payment amounts as required
Providers may not immediately benefit from a favorable court ruling that affects the methodology for determining the qualifying payment amount (QPA) under the No Surprises Act. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance Oct. 6 that says the Biden administration will not enforce the court decision until at least May 1.…
3 key interventions to address lagging payer reimbursements
It seems as if commercial payers are doing all they can to keep from reimbursing providers in a timely manner. According to a recent report by Crowe, 31% of claims submitted to commercial payers in the first quarter of 2023 were not paid for at least three months, as compared with 12% of Medicare claims.…
Insights on population health management challenges through the eyes of C-suite leaders
Population health management is at a crossroads, and one key to ensuring its viability is to bolster stakeholder trust in the potential of value-based payment (VBP) models. That was a key takeaway from healthcare executives who took part in a September panel discussion at the 23rd annual Population Health Colloquium, hosted by the Jefferson College…
Applying AI to revenue cycle management
Three examples of AI applications in healthcare provide insight into how healthcare providers are using the technology today. The organizations are Auburn Community Hospital in Auburn, New York; Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona; and Community Medical Centers, based in Fresno, California, Addressing RCM staffing shortages: Auburn Community Hospital Auburn Community Hospital, an independent 99-bed rural…
Update: Medicaid DSH payment cut averted as House, Senate pass short-term federal funding
Note: The headline and lead section of this article were updated Oct. 1 with news of a six-week government funding extension that delays the Medicaid DSH cuts and pays for other healthcare programs. The article originally was published Sept. 28 under the headline, “An $8 billion Medicaid DSH cut is closer to happening as a…
How AI is about to change healthcare
For executives who have lived through the marketing of such technological developments as big data, the cloud and the Internet of Things, the prospect of taking on the latest hot concept, AI, might not be appealing. But ignoring AI and all its variations may be a mistake. Although there are different technology solutions being sold…
News Briefs: Reports quantify how cost increases will affect the healthcare industry in 2024
The cost to treat patients will accelerate in the upcoming year, according to newly published projections. PwC’s Health Research Institute reported that the cost of providing care will increase by 7%, up from a 6% increase this year and 5.5% in 2022. A 7% increase would tie 2021 for the highest annual change in the…
Risky business: What every CFO should know before taking on risk
As a health system leader, how can you ensure your organization is making the right moves to take on risk in an evolving landscape for payment? Check out a handful of key capabilities to focus on in this article.
PFC USA’s partnership approach ensures healthcare clients tackle regulatory and patient satisfaction issues
Review some tips from a company with 6.5 years of hands-on experience in helping its healthcare clients handle concerns in healthcare such as workforce shortages and a volatile regulatory environment.