RAND report finds regulating hospital prices would be the most effective way to reduce healthcare spending, but are the proposals viable?
The American Hospital Association had a negative reaction to study findings showing that regulation of hospital prices would be the most effective way to reduce prices paid by commercial insurers.
Front-line stories: How today’s prior authorization processes create a burden of waste for providers
As hospitals continue to struggle with razor-thin margins, they should actively identify activities that create financial burdens for them without delivering value to patients. One health system’s stories of administrative waste due to prior authorization processes show why this activity should be be high on their list.
Physician practices are facing operational and financial headwinds
A recent study finds that most performance measures of physician practices declined in 2020 relative to 2019 levels. The findings suggest reinforcing the physician performance improvement infrastructure should remain a priority for hospitals and health systems with employed physicians.
It’s all in the breath: An argument for improved outcomes and reduced costs in healthcare
Effective breathing is known to promote good health, but our healthcare system has given relatively little attention to the concept of breathing therapy. COVID-19 has increased the need for a greater focus on this issue, and there are simple steps healthcare organizations can take to address it.
Navigating change: Implications of CMS’s 2021 Physician Fee Schedule
Changes to the CMS Physician Fee Schedule for 2021 require immediate deliberation by provider organizations with respect to how they will structure their physician compensation arrangements.
Healthcare finance leaders emphasize efficiency and consider partnerships in response to ongoing trends
To address the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare finance leaders are considering both internal and external solutions, according to recently issued reports.
Healthcare News of Note: 14 healthcare providers unite to launch new data platform to glean more insight on medical conditions
Healthcare News of Note for healthcare finance professionals is a roundup of recent news articles, including the debut of a provider-led data platform, delayed care during the pandemic and the impact of the recent winter storm on Texas hospitals and health systems.
Hospitals enjoy greater flexibility in compensating physicians for value-based care
New regulations effective Jan. 19, 2021, afford hospitals, providers of certain ancillary services and accountable care organizations they own significantly greater flexibility to compensate physicians for collaboration on value-based care initiatives.
January brings a halt to job gains for hospitals and the healthcare industry
January numbers form the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that hospitals and the healthcare industry lost jobs after several months of gains.
Any port in a storm: How we can help each other navigate the challenging months ahead
HFMA President and CEO Joe Fifer reflects on pandemic fatigue and what healthcare leaders can do to support their colleagues through the challenging months ahead.