August 2019
Cover story
Creative partnerships bring relief from soaring drug prices
With drug costs emerging as a central concern for healthcare leaders, providers are trying to mitigate the problem through partnerships.
Features
3 essentials for creating and managing a high-value PAC Network
A health system's ability to succeed under value-based payment depends on its having a well- developed post-acute care strategy.
The CFO’s role in driving value in healthcare through informed collaboration
Hospital and health system finance executives should promote clinical, economic and administrative alignment between their organizations and health plans as a necessary step necessary for achieving success under value-based payment contracts.
Financial impacts of Medicare expansion proposals on hospitals appear daunting
Various scenarios for expansion of Medicare are likely to be widely discussed in the lead up to the 2020 presidential election. An analysis assesses the possible impact of each scenario for a hypothetical U.S. acute care hospital.
Why hospital outpatient physical therapy is a good revenue source
It makes good business sense for health systems to make outpatient physical therapy a priority given the payment landscape for such services and the value they can provide.
Special Report: Effective use of analytics can help healthcare organizations solve critical challenges
Advances in analytics are powering improvements in electronic health record utilization and clinical documentation improvement.
Special feature
Provider Risk Readiness Report
The results of a May 2019 HFMA study about risk readiness in which hospital and health system senior financial leaders share insights on their organizations’ risk capabilities and tolerance.
Columns
Medicare for All — for what?
When seeking solutions for problems facing the industry, healthcare finance leaders should take an objective approach, seeking to clearly frame the problem the solutions are intended to address.
Single-payer concept for U.S. healthcare requires close fiscal scrutiny
The concept of "Medicare for All" has been a focus of much debate leading up to the 2020 presidential election, and the likely cost of such a program is an important factor that needs to be considered.
Why the call for price transparency is a call for innovation
To navigate and respond to the murky issue of price transparency, hospitals and health systems must innovate.
Why it is necessary to routinely assess healthcare integration initiatives
Because the perspectives of participants in healthcare integration initiatives can change over time, causing their business and financial needs to move out of alignment, it is important to reassess the integration relationships at regular intervals.
Price transparency: A new chapter begins
HFMA President and CEO Joe Fifer offers a perspective on the executive order on price transparency.
Departments
We need to talk about your flair: HFMA’s new digital badges are here
HFMA's new digital credentialing program enables members to display their HFMA achievements through digital badges.
HFMA recognizes South Texas Chapter for outstanding service and accomplishments
Recognizing five years of sustained excellence, HFMA awarded the South Texas Chapter with the Robert M. Shelton Award.
Certifications create opportunities at WVU Medicine
HFMA’s Enterprise membership provides organizations with the tools they need to advance their staff and improve performance.
Malpractice cost analysis shows declines in premiums, paid losses and self-insurance
A study finds that the combined cost of malpractice premiums, paid losses and self-insurance costs for acute care hospitals with a filing available ending between 2013 and 2017 declined over the five-year period.
HFMA member earns Frederick C. Morgan Achievement Award
The Frederick C. Morgan Achievement Award was presented to the 61st recipient, while another member publishes a book and more.