HFMA’s new courses combine self-directed study with live expert facilitation and real-world exercises

This fall, HFMA is launching a new line of courses that combine self-directed study with expert facilitation. To learn more about this program — Premium Facilitated Learning — I sat down with Director of Digital Learning Sue Spear and Director of Partner Relationships Todd Nelson for a Q&A.

Q: Why is the Premium Facilitated Learning format the best of both worlds? 

Sue Spear: Online on-demand courses let students learn at their convenience, but don’t meet the needs of people who thrive on interaction. In addition, some concepts — such as implementing value-based payment — are easier to grasp with independent exploration followed by expert facilitation and feedback. 

This activity-based, community-driven educational model lets students learn on their own and from peers, as well as from a subject matter expert who facilitates throughout the course. And it’s designed to be practical. The content goes beyond terminology and basic concepts to real-world application.

Todd Nelson: For example, in the Budgeting and Reporting course, students may be asked to review their organization’s financial statements and calculate common key performance metrics and ratios. Activities aren’t busywork — they enhance comprehension by allowing the application of concepts to real-world situations. During live discussions, which are called “Office Hours,” students will learn from expert facilitators and see how peers working in different facility types and sizes tackle the same issues. This is an exciting way to master a concept and new to HFMA.

Q: Who are these courses for?

Spear: They’re open to anyone but are aimed primarily at those who want a deeper dive into understanding a particular topic. Besides being valuable to those working in healthcare finance, these courses will also be useful to business partners who want to better understand the environment they are working in and for clinical and operational staff who want to better understand the financial aspects of their roles.

Q: How do these hybrid courses work? 

Nelson: Content will be rolled out weekly, with each week covering a different content area for the overall course. Students begin with self- 
directed study via an article, lesson or video. Quizzes, assessments and assignments reinforce concepts. Resources, references and other tools help students to move beyond the basics.

At various times within the program, students may join a live online discussion with other students and the course facilitator to ask questions and dig into that week’s topic more extensively. Those who successfully complete an end-of-course assessment receive a certificate, and depending on course length, can earn up to eight CPEs.

Q: What’s the time commitment?

Spear: It depends on the student, but we’re estimating about two to three hours a week. 

The new Premium Facilitated Learning courses are:

• Leveraging Budgeting and Reporting, Nov. 15 to Dec. 10
• Applying AI to Leverage Data in a Value-Based World, Nov. 15 to Dec. 10
• Mastering Healthcare Coordination of Benefits to Reduce Denials, Nov. 29 to Dec. 7

Four-week courses cost $349 for members and $449 for nonmembers. Three-week courses cost $249 and $349, respectively.

For more information and to register, visit learn.hfma.org/catalog.