Finance and Business Strategy

Bon Secours Mercy Health’s successful merger provides takeaway lessons learned for other healthcare organizations

Two large Catholic health systems — Bons Secours Health System and Mercy Health — initiated a merger in 2018 as a strategy for delivering more cost-effective care to underserved communities amid continued cost pressures and declining payments. Within three years, by using proactive, strategic and transparent communication as the guiding principle for their merger of equals, the combined organizations were able to far surpass the financial and integration goals they had set for the consolidation.

Josh Hesley, MHA September 30, 2021

Let’s apply a wider view — and approach — to health equity

HFMA Chair Tammie Jackson urges healthcare finance leaders to think broadly when considering factors that lead to health disparities and finding new ways to promote health equity.

Tammie L. Jackson, FHFMA, MHA, CHFP September 29, 2021

After a long wait, HHS sends out details on the next Provider Relief Fund distributions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced $25.5 billion in upcoming distributions from the Provider Relief Fund.

Nick Hut September 28, 2021

Site-of-care payment issues get highlighted by UnitedHealthcare and MedPAC

A new report issued by a leading health plan is the latest sign that hospitals and health systems can expect payers to ramp up implementation of site-neutral payments.

Nick Hut September 27, 2021

Cost Effectiveness of Health Report, September 2021

HFMA’s Cost Effectiveness of Health Report, sponsored by Kaufman Hall, is a monthly e-newsletter that will explore ways to ensure healthcare delivery in the United States is not only financially sustainable but also cost effective for all of its stakeholders — including health systems, physicians, health plans and patients. In this inaugural issue of the report, healthcare futurist Jeff Goldsmith shares his perspectives on the need for a focus on improving cost effectiveness of health as a societal imperative.

HFMA September 27, 2021

Why cost effectiveness of health should be the prime point of focus for healthcare

Editor's Note for Cost Effectiveness of Health Report.

Eric C. Reese, PhD September 27, 2021

Various technical challenges affect hospitals’ ability to fulfill public-health reporting obligations

A report issued by the federal government finds many hospitals struggling to exchange data electronically with public health agencies.

Nick Hut September 24, 2021

Healthcare News of Note: Front-line healthcare workers leaving jobs without having another one lined up, McKinsey survey shows

Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: The Great Attrition is a real phenomenon, health systems have been slow to optimize technology, and chronic care is likely to grow telehealth use.

Deborah Filipek September 23, 2021

The hospital industry is projected to finish 2021 with a $54 billion loss, report finds

The financial turmoil that has affected hospitals and health systems throughout the COVID-19 pandemic won’t be alleviated during the remainder of this year, according to projections.

Nick Hut September 21, 2021

Study finds little correlation between market concentration and high healthcare prices

The findings have implications as policymakers consider ways to curb healthcare prices.

Nick Hut September 21, 2021
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