Dennis Dahlen: It’s time to deepen trust in the patient financial experience
“Healthcare is a journey. It’s not a single episode of care. Especially in cardiology, where the relationships we develop with patients are lifelong, we want to make sure they trust not just their doctor, but the entire organization.” So believes one of the standout speakers from HFMA’s 2024 Revenue Cycle Conference in San Diego: Larami…
Healthcare Finance Trends for 2024
Download this eBook to see details of the 10 financial trends that will shape 2024 for hospitals and health systems across the country.
Hospitals reached steadier ground financially as they moved into 2024
Hospitals came into 2024 with some financial momentum, even as expenses continued to rise and pivotal decisions loomed. The year-to-date median hospital operating margin reached 2.3% in December, the high mark for 2023 and the 10th consecutive month in which margins were positive, according to monthly data from Syntellis Performance Solutions, part of Strata Decision…
Dennis Dahlen: New year, not-so-new struggles call for revamped approach
In January, 8,000 investors, innovators and market participants gathered in San Francisco for the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. This gathering has become a required event for healthcare leaders to take stock of the industry. You could feel the pulse of the conference accelerate during key moments, like when comments from an FDA regulator led to…
Downgrades topple upgrades: 5 key takeaways from rating activity in 2023
As expected, 2023 saw a material increase in downgrades over 2022 while the number of upgrades declined from the prior year. Volume showed favorable growth for many hospitals during 2023, although some indicators remained below prepandemic levels. Other hospitals reported a payer mix shift toward more Medicare as the U.S. population continued to age and…
2024 outlook: Hospitals can expect a steadier year financially, but key questions loom
Although the past year brought more stability for the not-for-profit hospital sector, analysts foresee 2024 as a pivotal period in determining the viability of individual organizations. Fitch Ratings continues to describe the sector’s outlook as “Deteriorating.” In a year-end report, the credit-rating agency said downgrades of hospitals and health systems in 2023 had outpaced upgrades…
HFMA strategy session highlights challenges and opportunities for healthcare finance leaders: payer relations, supply costs, AI and more
The legacy healthcare provider’s position in the industry could grow tenuous if leaders don’t respond boldly and strategically to ongoing trends, according to insights recently presented to HFMA leaders. “We’re at a crossroads right now,” Ashraf Shehata, principal and U.S. national sector leader for healthcare and life sciences with KPMG, said in November during a…
Healthcare Blame Game: Why CFOs should build media relationships
In a recent episode of HFMA’s “Healthcare Blame Game” podcast, Jim Heffernan, a retired CFO and current CFO emeritus of Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, shared four key pieces of advice for CFOs.
Healthcare Blame Game: TIME hits the mark, Modern Healthcare misses, and a longtime HFMA member talks about why CFOs should build media relationships
Brad speaks with retired CFO and longtime HFMA member Jim Heffernan about why CFOs should be at the forefront of telling an organization’s financial story.
Kaleida Health taps Matthew Drake and Hugh Chisholm for new roles
Two HFMA fellows have been appointed to new leadership positions at Kaleida Health, the largest healthcare provider in Western New York. Matthew Drake, FHFMA, MBA, is the health system’s new executive vice president of strategy and partnerships. Drake, a member of HFMA’s Rochester Regional Chapter, previously was Kaleida’s executive vice president and CFO. Prior to…