Inpatient volumes are expected to decline but outpatient volume will increase correspondingly, according to results of a new survey from HFMA’s Healthcare Financial Pulse project. Some financial executives surveyed anticipate that volume will grow in selected inpatient areas, including cardiac, surgical, and intensive care unit/critical care unit services. Two-thirds of survey respondents anticipate a modest increase in net patient revenue over the previous year. Uninsured and underinsured patients will present significant challenges as hospitals are called upon to provide greater amounts of charity care and community benefits.
In response to patient volume changes, hospitals are adjusting staffing and related costs; increasing their focus on service line management; targeting physician recruitment, relationships, and referrals; and reexamining payer and supplier contracts and relationships.
Asked to consider prospects for long-term change, the top two areas for transformational change cited by respondents are related to clinical and business IT.
Read the full survey results.
