Addressing U.S. healthcare system challenges requires a focus on improving health, not just care
If we are to effectively address the huge cost challenges facing the U.S. health system, we must begin to better address the cost effectiveness of health, says Todd Nelson, HFMA’s director of professional practice and partner relationships. And it has to be through a collaborative process involving all stakeholders, he says, including not just hospitals and health systems, physicians and health plans but also patients and their communities, as well as society overall.
Study shows reduction in hospital readmissions, costs for medically complex patients seen in an outpatient critical care transition clinic
In a recent study, a large group of patients with medically complex chronic conditions were referred to and seen at an Indianapolis-based outpatient critical care transition clinic saw fewer posthospital inpatient admissions and realized decreased costs of care when compared with those who were referred but did not attend the clinic. HFMA’s Shawn Stack provided insight into the importance of the study.
Research highlights ways to save more than $250 billion per year through healthcare administrative simplification
Savings can be generated at the organizational and healthcare industry levels through steps to reduce wasteful administrative processes, study authors wrote.
Healthcare News of Note: Healthcare insurers owe hospitals billions of dollars in payments and are putting more patients in a bind with retroactive claim denials, says Kaiser Health News
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: Insurers are behind in billions of dollars in payments to hospitals, the strain on clinicians and staff grows amid the pandemic, and CFO duties involve more digital activities and investor relations.
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.
The CEO of one of the smallest hospitals in the country discusses the opportunities in rural hospitals
Steven Kelley, president and CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital in the Catskill region of New York, discusses how his organization drastically reduced ED times and improved outcomes for patients suffering from complications of COVID-19.
Strategic partnership: The key to improved patient experience and revenue cycle outcomes
One company shares advice and trends in addition to how its service offerings can hep healthcare organizations facing challenges, the biggest being people, process and technology.
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.
Healthcare News of Note: Average billed charge for complex COVID-19 hospitalizations is more than three times the allowed amount
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: $317,810 is the average charge for a complex COVID-19 hospitalization, the pandemic has had a unique impact on people with disabilities, and transitional clinic care brings posthospitalization benefits for medically complex patients.
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.