The top issues facing healthcare leaders today include:
HFMA's Healthcare Financial Pulse project provides the advice and resources you need to take on these issues, as well as up-to-date project surveys and special reports on the financial performance of healthcare organizations in these challenging economic times. You can also access case studies and additional resources from our sponsors.
Surveys and Special Reports
Special Report: Strategies for the Next Era in Health Care (May 2010)
Drawing from project research and efforts undertaken thus far, this special report explores the key trends, competency needs, innovations, and action steps that will shape organizational performance into the next era in health care.
Survey: Hospital Perspectives on Capital, Organizational Priorities Shifting (May 2010)
In the wake of the economic downturn, many hospitals are making notable shifts in capital strategy, with 29 percent seeking financing from alternate sources and 21 percent shifting financial structures and products, according to results of a new HFMA Healthcare Financial Pulse survey. These moves come after 40 percent experienced challenges related to capital funding during the recession.
Survey: Cost Management: Trends, Outlook, and Keys to Success (Feb. 2010)
Three quarters of hospitals said they had reduced costs over the past 12 months, and one-fifth of hospitals achieved cost savings of more than 5 percent, according to results of this new HFMA Financial Pulse survey. Find out where cost containment efforts focused over the past year, and how providers plan to manage cost containment efforts going forward.
Survey: The Changing Face of Self-Payment in Hospitals (Nov. 2009)
As patients struggle financially in the wake of the economic downturn, hospitals face increased challenges working with these patients on payment issues. More than 97 percent of respondents to HFMA's survey experienced an increase in self-pay accounts receivable as compared with the prior fiscal year. Learn more about the impact of increasing self-pay receivables and how hospitals are responding.
Survey: Impact of Shifting Patient Volumes (July 2009)
A majority of healthcare finance executives surveyed by HFMA anticipate declining inpatient volume, but a corresponding increase in outpatient volume. Learn more about the impact of these shifting patient volumes on hospitals and health systems and the key action steps healthcare organizations should take to control costs and strengthen the bottom line.
See More Survey Results
Leadership and Planning
Understand, address, and communicate health system changes.
Latest resources:
Three Michigan Hospitals Face Changing Economic Landscape
Hospital leaders discuss the recession's impact on patient financial responsibility and uncompensated care
Three-Minute Consult: Communicating Difficult Messages to Your Community
Healthcare organizations should take a direct, honest, and caring approach.
An Organizational Strategy for Communicating Labor Reductions
Managing communications and establishing financial transparency prove vital to successfully guiding an organization through significant labor adjustment.
Integrating Capital and Asset Management Across a Health System: The Sisters of Mercy Approach
Elevating capital planning and asset management processes to the strategic level helps achieve tens of millions of dollars in savings.
See More Leadership and Planning Resources
Cost and Quality
Drive value by controlling expenses while enhancing quality.
Latest resources:
Seattle Children's Hospital Saves $2.5 Million in First Year with Streamlined Inventory Distribution
The hospital's experiences with a high-speed, "just-in-time" inventory process - including a first-year savings of $2.5 million - holds numerous lessons for other healthcare providers.
One Provider's Advice: Tips to Streamline Your Inventory
Designing and implementing a smarter inventory process doesn't have to be a complex, drawn-out process.
Tips for Reducing Avoidable Readmissions
As government and health plans aim to reduce avoidable readmissions through payment reforms, learn how you can combat avoidable readmissions at your hospital.
Hospital Money-Savers? Think Small
Small changes add up to six-figure savings-and more-for hospitals.
CFOs: You Can Reduce Operating Costs While Improving Quality
The Institute of Healthcare Improvement's Maureen Bisognano discusses how waste reduction and cost efficiency efforts can enhance quality of care.
National Priorities for Transforming Health Care
Janet Corrigan, president and CEO of the National Quality Forum, discusses the strategies for improving quality and lowering cost necessary to achieve a value-focused healthcare system.
Optimizing Margins Through Non-Labor Cost Reduction
Creating a value analysis team is the first step in a sustainable cost-reduction program.
Preserving Cash
Pursue innovations in revenue and cash management.
Latest resources:
Improving Facility Utilization for Cost-Efficiency
By keeping a close eye on occupancy and making the best use of facilities and beds, hospitals can avoid the need to expand physical space.
Flexibility Is Key to Economical Facility Planning
Cost-effectiveness in construction depends on a keen understanding of use of space, particularly strategies that support flexibility.
Case Study: Denials Management and Appeals: Rooting Out the Cause
Vanderbilt University Medical Center has implemented processes for denials management before and after billing.
See More Preserving Cash Resources
Capital
Access sources of capital and allocate scarce resources to meet vital needs.
Latest resources:
A Rating Agency Perspective: Continue Focus on Operating Efficiency
Hospitals are advised on strategies to take coming out of the economic downturn.
One Rural Provider's Approach to Construction Financing
Learn how a rural, critical access hospital combined FHA financing with Build America Bonds for replacement hospital financing.
3 Reasons to Revisit Your Capital Project
Time-sensitive capital financing options, low interest rates, and an easing lending environment may make this the right time to pursue capital-intensive projects.
Your To-Do List Before Entering into an Interest Rate Derivative
By following a few, important guidelines, healthcare organizations can experience the benefits of using derivatives while avoiding many of the risks.
Establishing a Foundation for Merger Success
Three strategies help hospitals and health systems best position themselves for successful merger or acquisition activity.
2010 Offers a Different Breed of M&As
The capital markets crisis, economic downturn, and reform-accelerated change create new drivers for merger and acquisition activity among healthcare organizations in 2010.
Your Strategy for Effectively Communicating with the Credit Markets
Operational improvement, physician alignment strategies, and transformations in information use are key themes for effective communications with credit markets.
See More Capital Resources
From Our Sponsors
McKesson and RelayHealth are pleased to share the following resources with HFMA members and other visitors to the Healthcare Financial Pulse site.
Case Studies
Catholic Healthcare Partners
Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network
University of Pennsylvania Health System
Additional Resources
Performance Analytics Presentation