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…
Personalized communication helps State provide the highest possible recovery and patient-satisfaction rates for clients
Learn about a company that combines advanced technology with human interaction to increase recoveries and patient satisfaction.
Navigating toward successful contract negotiations with health plans
A group of healthcare leaders discuss various tactics they are using to negotiate better rates with payers and ensure payers’ commitment to accurate, timely payment.
Shawn Stack: The value of revisiting policies and processes for financial assistance
The charity care processes adopted by healthcare providers have attracted criticism in media stories focusing on the high cost of care. On a recent episode of HFMA’s “Voices in Healthcare Finance” podcast, HFMA Policy Director Shawn Stack discussed the value of revisiting financial assistance policies and processes. Below is an excerpt from the interview. Erika…
Healthcare Blame Game: New York Times medical debt piece dubbed ‘laziest story of the year,’ plus revisiting charity care policies
Brad examines a New York Times article by investigative reporter Sarah Kliff about a recent study of patients whose debt was eliminated by RIP Medical Debt. Researchers say the results surprised them.
It’s time to revisit your charity care policy
The cover story in the May issue of hfm focuses on a South Dakota health system that developed a new process to identify charity care patients. In this episode, HFMA Policy Director Shawn Stack discusses why good financial assistance policies and process are essential to patient care.
How digital patient engagement solutions can help healthcare organizations improve their existing revenue cycle
This roundtable features various healthcare professionals who breakdown what digital patient engagement solutions are being implemented and how this not only empowers patients, but also helps organizations looking to improve their existing revenue cycle.
Healthcare Blame Game: Bloomberg Philanthropies puts $250 million into educating new healthcare workers while Patient Rights Advocate spends on spreading misinformation
Chad Mulvany, vice president of federal policy for the California Hospital Association and former HFMA policy director, discusses Bloomberg Philanthropies $250 million investment in the future healthcare workforce, as well as what will actually move the needle on price transparency.
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…
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.