CMS PROPOSED INPATIENT HOSPITAL PPS RULE: SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH YOUR PEERS
We are in the process of preparing the next issue of the PFS Forum Quarterly Insights and we want to hear from you. The focus of the upcoming issue will be all about your thoughts of the CMS proposed inpatient hospital PPS rule and it's implications for your facility.
On April 25, 2006, CMS issued an Inpatient Hospital PPS proposed rule for Fiscal Year 2007, effective October 1, 2006 that would base Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) weights on hospital costs rather than charges, and adjust DRGs for patient severity. Under the proposed rule, CMS would replace the current 526 DRGs with an 861 consolidated adjusted DRG system (APR DRGs).
With the aggressive effective date, what do you believe are the implications of this proposed rule to the revenue cycle and what do you believe providers must do to prepare for this upcoming change?
To add your voice to the next PFS Forum Quarterly Insights, please send your response to this question, along with your name and affiliation as you would like it to appear, to forums@hfma.org.
We'll do our best to accommodate as many responses as possible. The deadline for submissions is noon on May 30, 2006.
SPECIAL PFS FORUM ROUNDTABLE NETWORKING RECEPTION AT ANI
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 6:00-7:30 pm
NEW! During this structured, yet highly social event, you'll get a chance to meet your fellow PFS Forum community members and facilitators who will engage you in a highly interactive session designed by the community members themselves. Just by participating in this complimentary event for members-only, you'll be eligible for the on-site drawing for one of three Apple iPod Flash 1GB Shuffles! Cocktails and appetizers will be provided while members share their experiences at the following facilitated knowledge stations:
- Upfront Cash Collections: As more healthplans have deductibles and copays, hospitals have to change their intake procedures to ensure that patients are billed in a timely manner. This knowledge station will explore the tactics and training needed to make this process as efficient as possible for the patient, payer and provider.
- Serving the Uninsured and Underinsured: A challenge to all providers, this topic will explore best practices of patient education, community communication and establishment or refinement of policy.
- Revenue Cycle Front-Line Training: A topic high on the minds of most Revenue cycle leaders, join your peers for a facilitated discussion about what works, what is challenging and other tools and tips for effective front-line training.
- Pricing Transparency: As more consumers, the government and communities are feeling the squeeze of rising healthcare costs, a question of pricing, costs and charges is coming under scrutiny. Revenue cycle leaders are being challenged to become transparent on this issue before regulations require hospitals to publish prices. Be sure to join your peers in this facilitated discussion to learn what you can and should be doing to prepare for the inevitable.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) for the Revenue Cycle: Join your peers in this discussion and explore how you can or how your peers are coordinating staffing around your facility's KPI's.
- Revenue Capture: Don't miss this discussion that will review the importance of educating clinicians on the importance of this topic.
- Pay for Performance for Revenue Cycle Leaders: Facilitated by MedQuist, in support of the work of the Forums, this knowledge station will give you a chance to explore how revenue cycle leaders are facing changes that pay for performance brings to their everyday role.
Your facilitators for this event include some of the members of HFMA's PFS Forum Peer Leader Council:
- Diana J. McLaughlin, CHFP,Controller, Western Maine Health Care
- Bunnie B. Overby, Director Patient Financial Services, Alamance Reg Med Center
- David A. Amos, Dir Patient Financial Services, Mercy Healthcare Sacramento
- Jane F. Jackson-Clayton, Patient Financial Services Director, New York Methodist Hospital
- Kathryn T. Davila, Director Patient Business Services, Huggins Hospital
- Keith Eggert, FHFMA, VP Revenue Management, Orlando Regional Healthcare
- Christine Fontaine, Director, PFS, Shore Health System
- David R. Haray, FHFMA, Vice President, Stanford University Medical Center
- Shelley S. Lake, President, Artus Medical Recievables Management, Inc.
- J. Patrick Murphy, FHFMA, Vice President - Financial Services, Thomas Hospital
Please note: This event is free to Forum members, but advance registration is required. For more information and to register, visit or call (800) 252-4362, ext. 2.