Winter 2020-21

Cover Story
Healthcare organizations prepare for sicker patients in 2021 due to deferred care
Healthcare organizations are bracing for a sicker 2021 patient populations due to pandemic-era disruptions in care, even as they scramble to prevent that outcome.
Features
Lessons learned from the transition from volume to value
To effectively transition to value, ACO must fully grasp the success factors that will determine future success under value-based payment, including success with downside risk. A research study examined key organizational, financial, market and other characteristics that support the decision to take on risk.
Why effective maternity care requires an innovative, value-based strategy
An episode-of-care approach may be the best way to address cost variation in maternal care and promote partnerships across the healthcare continuum.
'This is what I’m able to do': New fund seeks to help address racial inequities in healthcare
Nashville-based entrepreneur Marcus Whitney has launched a venture capital fund that will support Black-led healthcare business endeavors.
Hospitals and health systems remain optimistic, overall, about APMs
An August HFMA survey, sponsored by GHX, found that, overall, hospitals and health systems are optimistic about seeing improvements in coordination and collaboration with partners in risk-based payment models over the next five years. The findings suggest organizations are moving ahead unabated in their value-based payment strategies.
Columns
'The Times They Are A-Changin' '
HFMA's Chair comments on the need for strong leadership through times of changes, citing Thomas Friedman's prediction of a coming "revolution inm edication and work."
Spillover effects of COVID-19 portend growing challenge for hospitals
Far more attention has been paid to the direct effects of COVID-19 on the healthcare system, including on hospitals, than to its indirect effects on hospitals, which include the impact on care other than COVID-19-related care.
For leaders, a trying holiday season is no time for compassion fatigue
As national and global events add to the stress that many already feel during the holidays, leaders can do their part to give team members reason to celebrate.
6 questions about healthcare integration in the 2020s
The question about whether to integrate was answered more than a decade ago. The questions now are, “How do we take full advantage of integration?” and “What do we integrate next and how?”
Flu season, COVID-19 testing and chicken soup
Healthcare organizations should be prepared for the challenges of unprecedented flu/COVID-19 season, with a primary fiocus on encouraging people to get flu shots, arranging for appropriate testing, promoting habits that contribute to health and wellness and to demonstrating a true spirit of caring.
The consumerism imperative in 2020: coming full circle
HFMA President and CEO Joe Fifer offers a perspective on consumerism initiatives in this pandemic year.
Departments
Inside HFMA: It’s time for healthcare providers to standardize denials performance measurement
HFMA’s Claim Integrity Task Force, in collaboration with business partners, set out to scope and define metrics that could be adopted industrywide for benchmarking.
Region 2 hosts Fall Institute in first HFMA Regional virtual conference
An executive with Region 2, which held its Fall institute virtually this year, recommends focusing on sponsorship packages, funding and keeping in mind all the little things that need to be done to host a successful virtual conference.
News briefs: December-January 2020-21: Recent trends shaping healthcare finance
Read about the key factors that have shaped healthcare finance policy and practice.
Chad Thompson: Why earning and holding all HFMA certifications is beneficial
In this month’s People column, one member explains why earning any or all HFMA certifications is beneficial, one member shares the news of her published article in Nurse Leader magazine and two members announce new job titles.
Supplements
Accessing insight, opportunities and resources to drive innovation in healthcare
Organizations should acknowledge and respond to existing and emerging trends as they navigate through the current public health crisis and also maintain longterm financial viability. Learn variations to successfully achieve innovation.
Survey: Revenue cycle continuity is imperative during the COVID-19 pandemic
See the key takeaways from hospital and health systems’ leaders, who share their perspectives on COVID-19 and its effect on the revenue cycle during the HFMA Digital Annual Conference.
The importance of financial flexibility in today’s dynamic healthcare environment
Five revenue cycle leaders discuss financial strategies for healthcare organizations transitioning capital expenditures to operating expenditures.
Key learnings from the pandemic and plans for the future
Takeaway key lessons from a panel of executives who discuss how the first wave of COVID-19 impacted the acquisition and management of essential equipment and supplies.
Lessons learned from 2020 HFMA MAP Award winners
Learn key takeaways from 15 revenue cycle leaders who shared performance at the HFMA Digital Annual Conference lessons learned around ways to strengthen and sustain revenue cycle.
3 tactics for unlocking value in healthcare operations
Three organizations share their approaches and results from case studies they presented at the HFMA Digital Annual Conference around solutions driving improved operational and revenue cycle performance in healthcare.
Revamping patient engagement and collections — digitally
Four companies presented 10-minute case studies at the HFMA Digital Annual Conference. Leaders from these organizations share the solutions of the case studies, which drive improved solutions in healthcare revenue cycle.
Telehealth: Moving from stop-gap measures to an integrated care delivery model
With telemedicine on the rise, two senior leaders advise having proper denials prevention and response strategy, along with ideas on motivating physicians to participate in telehealth programs.