April 2020

Cover Story
Climate Change: Could it give rise to the next viral disease outbreak?
Health systems should continue to be be cognizant of the potential risks they face from global warming, which include not only more violent and frequent storms but also increased vulnerability within their areas to mosquito-borne diseases.
Features
Why a focus on margin management is critical in a consumer-centric healthcare market
Providers that remain focused on service-by-service approach to care delivery will find themselves out of step with today’s consumer-focused healthcare system.
Hospitals have an opportunity to cull big savings from purchased services
The very real possibility of being able to reduce purchased services spend by 10% to 15% offers hospitals and health systems a compelling reason to pursue such an effort.
Survey: Providers have work to do on the journey to value
An HFMA survey sponsored by GHX found that the more revenue a healthcare organization has at risk in value-based contracts, the greater its capabilities for managing risk.
Hospitals and physician practices generally achieve ‘moderately effective’ use of cost data, according to a survey, which also identified more effective approaches
Although many healthcare organizations say they have achieved middling results in their cost accounting efforts, that could improve through widespread adoption of approaches identified as most effective.
Columns
When the bones are good: Healthcare industry challenges can be opportunities to grow
Healthcare finance leaders need to trust their principles, values and sense of taking care of each other in moments of doubt and fear, such as the current COVID-19 epidemic.
2020 will see healthcare policy mired in inaction
Political polarization has posed a barrier to Congressional action in important areas of concern in healthcare, and these areas will likely not be addressed until after the 2020 presidential election.
How a time management audit can help leaders bring order to their schedules
Leaders can carve out a time management strategy by conducting an audit that examines their own duties, assumptions and preferences, writes Jill Geisler, HFMA’s contributing subject-matter expert on leadership topics.
How healthcare providers can avoid being at a disadvantage when negotiating risk contracts
Stratifying patients by risk helps finance leaders understand the cost implication differentials of shifts in utilization, giving their organizations a more solid footing in risk-based contract negotiations.
Introducing a tool for improving the patient financial experience
HFMA President and CEO Joe Fifer suggests that the patient financial experience can be improved by taking a page from the Disney playbook..
Departments
HFMA’s Western Region Symposium provides education on customer financial experience and the revenue cycle
HFMA Regions 10 and 11 combined efforts to host the annual Western Regional Symposium, which included a well-attended revenue cycle breakout session, with a focus on the patient financial experience.
Members integrated into our latest marketing efforts
HFMA's marketing team is attending HFMA live events and capturing photos and videos of members and attendees in action.
Critical access hospitals reap benefits of HFMA Enterprise Membership
HFMA’s Enterprise Membership program offers critical access hospitals vital tools and resources that their leaders and team members need to succeed in today’s ever-changing healthcare landscape.
Employment transitions: Where have some HFMA members landed new jobs?
Several HFMA members across the nation share their latest job updates with either new roles or promotions.
Supplements
How to Succeed in the BPCI-A Program: Transforming Care Across the Continuum
A strategy-focused article about the importance of robust care coordination and management for successful participation in alternative advanced payment models. Includes information from a recent meeting of HFMA’s Value-Based Healthcare Innovation Council (VBHIC).
MRA|Revecore’s AcciClaim boosts reimbursements for accident claims
A leading claims management company talks about how it streamlines the complex billing and follow-up activities associated with motor vehicle and workers’ compensation accident claims, driving revenue into healthcare organizations.
Women in leadership: How 6 senior leaders are breaking down barriers
A roundtable of women executive leaders examines the difficulties women face in attaining senior leadership positions and discusses key strategies to overcoming these barriers.
Eliminating cost as a barrier to healthcare
An innovative financial services company talks about how it addresses patient payment pain points, offering patients interest-free payment arrangements without any fees and helping healthcare organizations improve self-pay collections without increasing domestic spend.