Annual Conference: New HFMA CEO Ann Jordan describes her vision for the Association
Speaking Sunday at Annual Conference, Ann Jordan articulated her vision for how HFMA can support members and positively affect the healthcare industry. Jordan, who succeeded Joe Fifer as president and CEO on June 6, described growing up on a farm in Iowa (“my first career endeavor at the age of 9 was field labor”), then…
Annual Conference: HFMA MAP Award winners for High Performance in Revenue Cycle unveiled
At a time when healthcare executives must balance intensely competing priorities, 15 healthcare organizations have shown they can address revenue and patient engagement challenges successfully and, as a result, have earned a 2023 HFMA MAP Award for High Performance in Revenue Cycle. This year’s group of winners, announced June 25 in Nashville at the HFMA…
International member spotlight: Deepa Gigeesh aspires to reach new career heights
HFMA recently spoke with Deepa Gigeesh, revenue recovery officer at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), Abu Dhabi, UAE. SSMC is HFMA’s first international Enterprise Solutions member, which allows SSMC’s healthcare finance staff to access HFMA tools, resources and education that align with their career development and business goals. Please describe your current position and job…
HFMA and Hospitals magazine collaborate to bring global healthcare community closer
By Olivia Tader HFMA and Hospitals magazine are working together to promote hospital and health system news around the globe. HFMA and Hospitals magazine, a Middle East healthcare magazine, have entered an agreement that allows both organizations to share more widely their content and expertise in hospital management and healthcare finance. “Hospitals magazine is honored…
MedPAC takes aim at the Medicare wage index and reiterates support for site-neutral payment
In its semiannual report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommends significant changes to two key aspects of Medicare policy: the wage index and site-neutral payment. 1. A revamp of the wage index The wage index consistently generates concern among healthcare stakeholders, including in Medicare’s FY24 proposed rule for hospital inpatient payments. According…
As anticipated, the start of the Medicaid unwinding process has taken a toll on coverage
Fears among healthcare policymakers that the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency would sow chaos in Medicaid have been realized, leading the Biden administration to intensify its mitigation efforts. The end of Medicaid continuous-enrollment provisions is affecting the program in many states. In 21 states that had begun the “unwinding” process since April 1,…
Medicare coverage and coding updates: New Alzheimer’s drugs to be covered, but not universally
Note: This article was updated July 6. For drugs manufactured to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, Medicare will offer coverage with certain qualifications, according to a recent CMS announcement. The new policy especially is relevant because the FDA’s first full approval of an Alzheimer’s disease drug may be only a month or so away.…
AI and machine learning – an intelligent approach to healthcare fraud prevention
The threat of fraud has only become more prevalent in healthcare as a result of three broad trends: Continued growth in the population of healthcare consumers The increase in care being delivered outside of traditional care settings, such as telehealth Exponential development of resources offering health and wellness services Moreover, as the baby boomer generation…
Report quantifies the financial impact of certain health plan business practices on providers
As hospitals seek to regain their financial footing coming out of the pandemic, they may find themselves stymied by commercial payer policies, according to a new report. “It’s true that commercial payers might generate more net revenue than public payers on a per-case basis,” Crowe states in a report it recently published. “But at what…
News Briefs: The expiration of the COVID-19 PHE brings an end to key provisions
The termination of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11 meant providers lost many of the accommodations and regulatory flexibilities that were in place since Jan. 31, 2020. For example, Medicare’s 20% add-on payment for treating COVID-19 cases in the inpatient setting no longer is available. With reported cases and hospitalizations steadily trending…