David Johnson: Right-sizing physician training? The case for surgical mechanics
American healthcare reputedly confronts a monumental physician shortage. A highly publicized 2021 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) forecasts that shortage to be as high as 180,000 physicians by 2034.a That’s out of a total population of roughly one million physicians. A breathless commentary on the AAMC report by the American Medical Association…
Using data analytics to address SDoH and contain costs
Finding a way to meaningfully address the adverse impacts of social determinants of health (SDoH) has long been a significant challenge for the nation’s hospitals and health systems. Now, leading healthcare organizations are finding new approaches to solving this problem through the innovative use of data and analytics, both internally and in collaboration with other…
The employer strikes back: The hollowing of the commercial health insurance market and its impact on payers and providers
Today, the commercial group health insurance market is hollowing out, primarily driven by affordability pressures that have been building for decades. Employers, unions, associations and other entities provided health insurance to nearly 180 million Americans in 2022, or 55% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making commercial group health insurance a mainstay…
In response to a congressional RFI, provider advocates give input on ways to bolster rural healthcare
Hospital and physician groups were among the respondents to a request by a key congressional committee for information on improving rural healthcare. In an RFI issued in September, the House Ways and Means Committee sought policy solutions for augmenting access to — and the quality of — healthcare in relatively remote areas. “The committee will…
Amid positive signs financially, hospitals continue to grapple with high costs in labor and other areas
The latest financial metrics for the hospital sector reflect a period of increasing stability but also sustained challenges. August financial data from more than 1,300 hospitals, as reported by Syntellis Performance Solutions, showed improvements in key metrics. The month-over-month increase in median operating margin was 3.5 percentage points, helping the year-to-date margin rise to 1.4%…
The best care starts with the patient
Rami Karjian and Pippa Shulman from Medically Home discuss why higher payment and lower length of stay isn't always the best benchmark.
Insights on population health management challenges through the eyes of C-suite leaders
Population health management is at a crossroads, and one key to ensuring its viability is to bolster stakeholder trust in the potential of value-based payment (VBP) models. That was a key takeaway from healthcare executives who took part in a September panel discussion at the 23rd annual Population Health Colloquium, hosted by the Jefferson College…
Is This the Age of the Payvider?
By now, most health systems are familiar with the term payvider, and many are weighing the pros and cons of initiating their own payvider solution. The critical tipping point to act may well be here today, as health systems feel increased pressure to make greater financial and strategic impact for their organizations even as conditions…
It starts with mental health: How caring for transgender youth makes for healthier adults
Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director for the National Center for Transgender Equality, returns to the podcast to discuss the misconceptions around transition-related care for young people.
Cost Effectiveness of Health Report, August 2023
This issue of HFMA’s Cost Effectiveness of Health Report, sponsored by Kaufman, Hall & Associates, LLC, features an expert-reviewed article that examines lessons learned after two years of price transparency regulations. Also included is a commentary that highlights a new initiative focused on the problem of homelessness, in which healthcare providers can play a meaningful role. Price…