Hospital margins increased in November, but labor expenses remained a drag on finances
A skewed labor market continued to affect hospital finances in November even as operating margins improved from October.
Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 payments will be transmitted starting later this week, HHS announces
Provider Relief Fund Phase 4 payments will be made starting Dec. 16 to providers that applied and were deemed eligible.
The COVID-19-induced surge in healthcare labor costs is testing hospitals and health systems
Struggles with the pandemic’s financial impact on the healthcare workforce leave few alternatives besides innovation, say industry experts and leaders on the front lines.
Medicaid expansion doesn’t appear to bolster finances or operations at critical access hospitals, study finds
Changes in operating margin, staffing ratios and quality metrics didn’t hinge on whether a critical access hospital was in a state that had expanded Medicaid.
Revenue cycle innovation: How automation can mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19
These four tips will help hospital financial leaders lessen the economic impact of COVID-19 now and in the future: Build and retain a core revenue cycle team, contain labor costs, redeploy talent more effectively and enhance revenue integrity.
Provider Relief Fund updates: First reporting deadline is imminent, and new distributions have been sent to rural providers
Providers have until Nov. 30 to report on their use of distributions received from the Provider Relief Fund during the first several months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Medicare area wage index likely needs a revamp, MedPAC members say
Wage index adjustments leave some hospitals at a disadvantage and are costly for the Medicare program, according to policy advisers.
With substantial Medicare payment cuts pending, medical groups call for Congress to act
Payment cuts scheduled for 2022 would amount to a 9.75% reduction in Medicare revenue for medical groups, which are calling on Congress to pass legislation to stop the cuts.
Healthcare News of Note: U.S. will be short 3.2 million lower-wage healthcare workers within 5 years, says Mercer
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: Shortages of lower-wage healthcare workers, nurses, physicians and mental health staff are expected, PHI security and burnout are of concern to most healthcare professionals, and the pandemic is expected to affect health insurance rates.
Hospital groups urge changes to Provider Relief Fund distribution and reporting processes
HHS should send out the upcoming Provider Relief Fund distribution as quickly as possible and offer flexibility in the ongoing reporting process, hospital groups said.