HHS sends letter to providers, insurers reinforcing requirements for COVID-19 vaccination and testing to be free for all recipients
Xavier Becerra, secretary of HHS, issued a letter emphasizing that out-of-pocket fees for COVID-19-related services are prohibited.
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.
CMS nearly doubles the payment rate for administering the COVID-19 vaccine in a Medicare beneficiary’s home
A payment increase for in-home COVID-19 vaccine administration is part of a strategy to improve vaccination rates, which have slowed in recent weeks.
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.
Pilot and Trinity Health COO Ben Carter offers leadership lessons for turbulent times
Ben Carter, FHFMA, CPA, COO of Trinity Health, offers advice for healthcare finance and operations leaders based on his experience as a pilot and flight instructor, which helped him make the transition from CFO to COO even in the midst of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 outlook for hospitals: Reviews are mixed despite the large number of people already vaccinated in the United States
Most industry voices are predicting 2021 will be a financially challenging year for U.S. hospitals. But the outlook for some hospitals actually may be positive.
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.
Healthcare News of Note: Physicians say their trust in the U.S. healthcare system, along with confidence in healthcare executives and leaders, declined during the pandemic
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: The share of physicians who trust the U.S. healthcare system falls, the hospital-at-home sector is poised for growth, and an analysis details disparities in mental health diagnoses in the U.S.
Hospital margins continued to improve in April, but volumes and revenues fell slightly
A monthly report on hospital finances showed that margins improved from March to April even though the COVID-19 pandemic remained a factor.