December 2019
Cover story
Beyond compliance: Healthcare CFOs face many situations in which ethics can guide decision-making
From deciding on capital allocations to collaborating on efforts to reduce waste, healthcare CFOs have many opportunities to set a tone that influences behavior throughout their organizations.
Features
2 tools to help providers optimize patient payment plans and boost collections
To ensure patient payment plans are working well for an organization, leaders must analyze the true cost of servicing those plans.
Healthcare leaders view care coordination as an increasingly vital investment, survey finds
An HFMA survey of healthcare finance leaders found varying approaches to care coordination payment mechanisms, infrastructures and strategies for generating an ROI.
4 goals for bundled payment: How a hospital succeeded under BPCI-A
Abington Hospital has enjoyed success under the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced model by focusing on four key goals, including identifying episodes with sufficient opportunities to reduce costs below CMS’s target prices.
For healthcare analytics, systems and culture breed success
Research conducted by HFMA and sponsored by EPSi shows that healthcare organizations are still grappling with technological and cultural issues as they attempt to implement effective analytics programs.
Columns
A dare to healthcare finance professionals: Take a different approach
From the Chair: Healthcare finance leaders should internalize the idea of "contribution before consideration" and put it into action.
It’s time to acknowledge the success of CMS’s MSSP
Eye on Washington: The Medicare Shared Savings Program has achieved some noteworthy successes, and the program's continued ability to be successful will depend on physician leadership and involvement.
Effective performance management requires knowing how to give positive feedback
Positive feedback is a powerful tool for performance management when done right. Doing it right requires understanding the definition of effective feedback: information with intent to influence.
If CINs could talk, what would they tell hospitals?
Integration: Clinically integrated networks (CINs) require increased attention if they are to fulfill their full potential for delivering good, cost-effective care.
How loading luggage can be a healthcare staffing innovation
Innovative thinking should create the right connection between a healthcare organization's technological capabilities and its processes.
How health systems can adapt their approach to credit management and debt capacity to marketplace changes
Capital Finance: The healthcare market is evolving rapidly. Health systems’ approach to credit management and debt capacity must adapt accordingly.
This holiday season, let’s celebrate the everyday healthcare heroes
From the President: HFMA President and CEO Joe Fifer reflects on the invaluable contributions of the people on the frontlines of our healthcare system.
Departments
HFMA leaders expand Association's presence at Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information Summit
HFMA leaders presented a revenue cycle session and met with delegates attending an AHIMA international summit in the United Arab Emirates.
Region 5 members partake in service projects
HFMA’s Region 5 members are in the giving mood and spirit, participating throughout the year in both regional and individual Chapter service project.
Enterprise membership spurs substantial growth in HFMA certifications at Geisinger
Enterprise News: Geisinger, a Pennsylvania health system, is encouraging HFMA Enterprise members in its organization to pursue certifications.
News Briefs for December 2019
Recent news stories affecting healthcare finance
In the wake of recent news, providers should examine their patient collection practices to avoid pitfalls
Best practices can help healthcare providers avoid some of the pitfalls of trying to collect on patient debt.
Maryland Chapter member takes on three new roles
A Maryland Chapter member retired from her full-time career to take on three new professional roles. Plus, Board members across different Chapters share new life updates.
5 areas where hospitals can improve both financial performance and patient care
Data Trends: CMS data in the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review file indicates U.S. hospitals' average loss per admission increased 5% from 2016 to 2018.
Advertising
Pursuing innovation in the revenue cycle to transform operations
A roundtable of healthcare revenue cycle leaders discusses the importance of embracing innovation, including new and emerging technologies, to combat shrinking margins and navigate new payment models and the ever-changing regulatory environment.
The challenges and opportunities in pursuing a patient-centric financial experience
A roundtable of healthcare revenue cycle leaders examines the pressing need to keep patients at the center of revenue cycle activities to increase yield and patient satisfaction while lowering administrative costs.
Taking the sting out of patient bill payment
An innovative technology startup talks about its free, user-friendly bill payment app and how it can help healthcare organizations provide a simpler way for patients to pay.
Parallon: Helping providers tackle complex revenue cycle challenges
A leading revenue cycle management company talks about how it partners with healthcare organizations to use technology for optimizing financial performance and enabling patient-centric financial interactions.
Craneware: Demystifying the costs of care
A leading chargemaster company discusses its commitment to helping healthcare organizations understand their total cost of care and make strategic decisions to grow and protect margin.