HHS issues regulations to strengthen anti-discriminatory protections in healthcare
Healthcare providers should be aware of the compliance requirements in sweeping new federal regulations intended to improve health equity and reduce healthcare disparities. An HHS final rule expands upon Affordable Care Act (ACA) Section 1557 language that has prohibited discrimination on the basis of characteristics such as race, color, national origin (including English proficiency), age,…
2024 Health System Digital & IT Investments
This survey of 144 provider executives reveals their top digital and IT investment priorities for 2024 and associated challenges, opportunities, and goals.
Annual Conference: Houston Methodist uses AI in virtual models for critical care, patient observation and more
Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving innovation in clinical operations at the Houston Methodist hospital system, as explained during a presentation this week at HFMA’s Annual Conference. Among other virtual-care programs developed by the organization’s innovation center, Houston Methodist has incorporated a virtual ICU and virtual observation in the inpatient setting. Both programs use AI to…
Healthcare News of Note: A majority of physicians fear they missed signs of drug misuse during the pandemic and predict drug overdose deaths will rise, says a Quest Diagnostics report
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: Physicians fear they missed signs of drug misuse during the pandemic, improved technology use is seen in patient engagement, and the majority of Medicaid health plans have a health equity plan.
Policies to prepare for a future pandemic should center on interoperability between hospitals and public health systems, expert says
The need for better interoperability between hospitals and public health entities is a crucial lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic, a public health official testified to a Senate committee.
HHS to provide funding for administration of COVID-19 advanced therapies in vulnerable communities
HHS announced a $150 million investment to make available monoclonal antibody therapeutic treatments for patients in vulnerable communities nationwide.
A proactive approach to comprehensive clinical asset management helps healthcare systems maintain financial health
One company discusses its goal to help other health systems in keeping medical equipment throughout its full life expectancy, especially in a time of financial struggle.
Why a crisis makes finance-clinical collaboration more important
Crisis, like the COID-19 pandemic, underscores the need for and benefits from better collaboration between finance and clinical leaders of healthcare organizations.
Hospitals and physician practices generally achieve ‘moderately effective’ use of cost data, according to a survey, which also identified more effective approaches
Although many healthcare organizations say they have achieved middling results in their cost accounting efforts, that could improve through widespread adoption of approaches identified as most effective.
Care management and reduced LOS: How hospital leaders can connect the dots
Emerging care management approaches are focused on coordinating each step in a patient’s care journey, from tracking status at admission to coordinating with community-based providers after patients are discharged.