UnitedHealthcare reverses course on new approach to emergency department claims, but perhaps only temporarily
UHC had announced this week that it would evaluate claims starting July 1 to determine whether ED visits were for emergent or nonemergent events.
Healthcare News of Note: Sg2 report says lower-acuity care to continue its migration outside of hospital walls
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: Hospitals to continue to see loss of lower-acuity care, nursing shortage spurs health systems to offer sign-on bonuses and some newly passed state laws could put public health at risk.
Looming UnitedHealthcare policy on coverage of emergency department care draws opposition from hospitals, physicians
In a move strongly opposed by provider associations, UnitedHealthcare soon will start denying coverage of ED care that it deems to have been nonemergent.
Why fee-for-service can have a place in a reimagined healthcare system, but not as the primary mode of payment
Fee-for-service came under fire during a workshop in which prominent healthcare industry experts spoke of ways to achieve better integration of financing and care delivery.
Why closer collaboration between healthcare providers and health plans is crucial, and where it could pay off the most
New types of provider-payer associations place an emphasis on increasing the value of healthcare rather than merely offering cost savings.
Healthcare News of Note: More ransomware attacks mean hospitals and health systems will likely have to increase investment in IT security
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: A jump in ransomware attacks may move hospitals to increase IT security, surprise-billing concerns prevent some from seeking the COVID-19 vaccine, and physician shortages spur plan to allow more international candidates.
Nearly 64% more members enrolled in HFMA certification courses during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the same six-week period last year
HFMA members are putting their work-from-home situations and downtime due to stay-at-home directives to good use: 2,171 members passed HFMA certification exams between March 13 and April 27, 2020.
Weeding out waste: Policy workshop examines how the healthcare industry can finance a better model
By reducing wasteful spending, the U.S. healthcare industry would have an easier time funding some of the changes needed to support whole-person health, industry experts said at a conference on how to optimize healthcare financing.
News briefs: In a win for hospitals, CMS removes a rate-reporting requirement from the Medicare FY22 IPPS
Recent healthcare finance and policy news included the release of the proposed rule for the FY22 Inpatient Prospective Payment System.
Iowa Chapter hosts its first hybrid event
Iowa HFMA program chairs share how they planned and hosted the Chapter’s first hybrid post-pandemic event, providing attendees the option to attend either in person or virtually.