Cover Story

Inflation rattles hospital supply chain and labor pool with no end in sight
Strategies for combating healthcare’s inflation challenges include partnering with other organizations to obtain supply discounts and boosting worker mental health.
Features
No Surprises Act regulations remain a moving target for compliance
Amid all the rules stemming from the No Surprises Act, a looming mandate for providers to send cost estimates to health plans looks like the biggest stress inducer.
Why it can be a good idea for hospitals to stand up to government policy
Healthcare researchers believe Medicare could save $2 billion by using a cheaper drug for retinal disease, but some physicians don’t want to switch.
New IDS merger aims to improve value and access for its communities
A case study of a merger of two health systems in the Pacific Northwest exemplifies a shift in focus among health system mergers toward creating transformative partnerships aimed at improving value and overall cost effectiveness. The authors recount steps that the new merged integrated delivery system (IDS) has taken to realize the merger’s primary goals.
Columns
Aaron Crane: Poker lessons for healthcare finance
HFMA Chair Aaron Crane believes the game of poker provides valuable lessons for healthcare finance professionals navigating the current industry environment.
Paul Keckley: 2 major changes in the value agenda require finance leaders’ attention
The value agenda in U.S. healthcare is critical to its future, but there are two key areas in which it is likely to be redirected in years to come.
Jill Geisler: Focus on substance rather than your leadership style
Leadership style labels have been around for decades. Jill Geisler shares why prioritizing substance over style is more helpful and explains what that looks like for today’s leaders.
David W. Johnson: Pizza, productivity and the impact of inflation on healthcare finance
The skyrocketing inflation of healthcare costs over the past decades has considerably reduced the value of healthcare in our country, and waste is largely at the root of the problem. A focus on eliminating healthcare waste is logically needed to foster a better, more productive life for all Americans,
Ken Perez: What U.S. hospitals and health systems can expect from the 2022 IRA
Passed on Aug. 7, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act has policy provisions that are significant for providers, but overall, it constitutes a mixed bag for hospitals and health systems.
Lisa Goldstein: Environmental, social and governance issues gain prominence
Environmental, social and governance issues have long been concerns of hospitals and health systems, but they may require a more formal strategy as these issues gain prominence among investors, accreditation groups and other stakeholders.
Joe Fifer: Why finance leaders should be consumer-obsessed
HFMA President and CEO Joe Fifer offers perspectives on how the changing healthcare marketplace impacts legacy healthcare stakeholders.