Leveraging APPs is key to improving a health system’s provider enterprise
Although physicians have historically constituted the vast majority of a health system’s providers, advanced practice providers (APPs) are growing in number and importance throughout healthcare, to the point that what traditionally has been referred to as a health system's physician enterprise is now more aptly called its provider enterprise.
Effective healthcare finance leaders understand more than just finance
Laurence Appel, CPA, FHFMA, and the CFO of University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System — and a 37-year member of HFMA — says it is important for finance leaders to be well-versed in the clinical aspects of the business and its responsibility to meet the community’s healthcare and social needs.
Information is key to improving health of Americans while reducing healthcare costs
U.S. hospitals, and the healthcare industry overall, must learn to apply data more proactively if we are to begin to make meaningfully progress toward addressing the financial and social challenges besetting our healthcare system, says Daniel Marino, managing partner of Lumina Health Partners.
Why treating chronic diseases may be costing us more than we think
Healthcare providers should revisit short-sighted care protocols for patients with nonconventional chronic conditions; as they stand, the protocols may save costs initially but ultimately lead to poorer outcomes and greater costs.
Covenant challenges signal need for healthcare providers to chart a path to sustainability
The possibility that an organization might breach debt covenants is a symptom of deeper problems that require an all-hands-on-deck approach within the organization to get back on a sustainable path.
Hospital success requires a CEoH focus says 27-year HFMA member
Erik Thorsen, CPA, MBA, a 27-year member of HFMA, says successful leadership in healthcare finance requires a focus on the CEoH “triple aim” of patient access, equity and social determinants of health.
Cost Effectiveness of Health
Voice of Experience: Health system success requires focus on cost-effectiveness, says long-time HFMA member
Edward M. Prunchunas, a 47-year HFMA member, shares his insights and observations about the transformation of the U.S. healthcare system over the years and what are the essential leadership components for achieving success as he prepares to retire as executive vice president of finance, treasurer and CFO of Cedars-Sinai Health System.
Cost Effectiveness of Health Report, May 2022
The May 2022 edition of HFMA’s Cost Effectiveness of Health Report includes a conversation with Lance Robertson, former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living, on practical ways the United States can begin to meaningfully address social determinants of health. Another article explores considerations for hospitals and health systems regarding the decision to pursue a “hospital at home” strategy, and a column shares perspectives and lessons learned from a 47-year active member of HFMA on the nation’s evolution toward value.
Road to value begins with addressing social determinants of health
Lance Robertson, a former HHS leader, is encouraged by the federal response to the nation’s need to address problems such as health inequity, increased health risk and avoidable high costs for populations that are adversely affected by social determinants of health (SDoH). He sees addressing SDoH as a necessary preliminary step on the nation’s journey to achieving value in healthcare.