Proposed rule to halt credit-reporting of medical debt would have big ramifications for hospitals and other providers
A proposed rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) would curtail the inclusion of medical debt in credit evaluations, potentially shaking up healthcare billing and collections processes. The CFPB framed part of its rationale for the rule in the context of privacy, noting Congress previously limited the sharing of a patient’s medical information in…
Healthcare Blame Game: Patient Rights Advocate’s distortion of price transparency regulations and data, and the ad campaign that’s catching attention
Patient Rights Advocate (PRA) has engaged hip hop artists like Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes and Method Man in its “Power to the Patients” campaign, claiming that regulations around price transparency are not being enforced, allowing hospitals to hide their prices and “charge whatever they want.” On this episode, HFMA Policy Director Shawn Stack and Ruth Lande, vice president of hospital relations at RIP Medical Debt, discuss PRA’s misinterpretation of price transparency regulations and hospital pricing.
Igniting revenue cycle’s superpower: Patient advocacy
Larami Oliver took over revenue cycle operations for Heart and Vascular Care in Cumming, Georgia, in the heat of the pandemic, and under her leadership, the division was able to persevere. Key to the operation’s success: a shift in focus from post-claim revenue cycle response to pre-service education and support. “We’ve taken a proactive approach…
10 Keys to Restoring Trust in Healthcare
The issue of restoring consumer trust in the U.S. healthcare system encompasses a wide range of concerns. Factors in the perceived loss of trust include anxiety and confusion over costs, entrenched inequity, a glut of misinformation about vaccines and other treatments, and data and privacy breaches. To examine the problem and explore solutions, HFMA’s 16th…
Regulators seek feedback about medical credit cards as potential restrictions loom
A federal request for information signals heightened scrutiny on the issuance of credit cards in healthcare settings. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of the Treasury sent out an RFI in July to gain stakeholder feedback on whether the widespread availability of medical payment products such as credit…
Healthcare Blame Game podcast: Reporters are knee-deep in press releases. Most lack context.
Media veteran Jean Hodges joins Brad to discuss a Washington Post error and the inner workings of the modern newsroom.
Healthcare News of Note: Trust in local healthcare systems’ handling of the pandemic increased during a 28-month time span
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: Trust increased in healthcare providers’ handling of the pandemic when compared with the government, working-age adults suffer financial setbacks after admission for traumatic injury, and deaths by stimulants have increased.
Healthcare News of Note: Even many people with ‘good’ health insurance incur medical debt
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: 20% of U.S. households have medical debt, regulatory issues are delaying completion of a proposed not-for-profit health system mega-merger, and racial and ethnic disparities are seen in drug overdose deaths.
HFMA’s virtual revenue cycle and price transparency series focuses on helping health systems re-engage consumers and improve financial performance
Beginning March 1, healthcare finance professionals can participate in several educational sessions and peer-to-peer discussions by enrolling in HFMA's virtual revenue cycle and price transparency workshop.
Healthcare News of Note: Community health workers can influence better use of healthcare providers among certain populations
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles: Community health workers promote better use of healthcare providers, $195 billion in medical debt is owed by U.S. residents, and Generation Z is less likely to seek treatment for mental health issues.