Winter 2021-22

Cover Story
The COVID-19-induced surge in healthcare labor costs is testing hospitals and health systems
Struggles with the pandemic’s financial impact on the healthcare workforce leave few alternatives besides innovation, say industry experts and leaders on the front lines.
Features
Healthcare venture investing: How to succeed in a white-hot market
U.S. health systems can best promote cost effectiveness of health through innovation and a commitment to ensuring the ongoing financial sustainability of the healthcare enterprise. Health systems are increasingly turning to venture investing to achieve these goals.
The nation’s healthcare providers have a social obligation to promote cost effectiveness of health
Achieving cost effectiveness of health in the United States is a challenge not only for stakeholders within our nation’s healthcare system but also for our society, says Jeff Goldsmith, PhD, president of Health Futures Inc.
Columns
Gail Wilensky: Physician payment and SDoH challenges loom large on nation’s path to value
Two primary obstacles stand in the way of the nation's ability to achieve cost-effective health and healthcare delivery: the slow transition to value-based payment by physicians and the need to address social determinants of health.
Jill Geisler: 9 ways difficult conversations go south and how to keep that from happening
Avoiding difficult conversations can lead to unhealthy organizations. Jill Geisler talks about common ways conversations can derail and how leaders can get them back on track.
Martin Bluth: Blood donation — Why it should be on healthcare finance leaders' radar
Blood donations should be a top-of-mind concern for hospital and health system finance leaders given that a steady supply of blood donations is among the most critical lifesaving needs for their organizations.
Eric Jordahl: Hospitals and health systems face risk as the Federal Reserve pursues normalization
Labor market concerns and growing inflationary pressures pose challenges that the Federal Reserve must address as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Relief meets reality: The healthcare workforce is still reeling from COVID-19’s impact
HFMA President and CEO Joe Fifer reflects on another challenging year for healthcare.
Departments
HFMA membership exceeds 75,000 in the year of its 75th anniversary
HFMA reached a significant milestone, surpassing 75,000 members in October, after 19 straight quarters of membership growth.
HFMA’s move into the global arena includes an international membership program
HFMA’s new international Membership program reflects the Association’s mission to expand its support of healthcare finance professionals in the international community and to be a participant in the global agenda to improve health for all.
News Briefs: Federal vaccination requirements finalized for hospitals and most other healthcare settings
If a hospital’s staff aren’t fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, the organization will be deemed noncompliant with Medicare and Medicaid regulations, according to a new federal rule.
Supplements
Craneware is transforming the business of healthcare
Learn how one company offers its customers value cycle solutions that go beyond traditional revenue cycle to include pharmacy, supplies and service line optimization.
Exploring opportunities to improve provider-payer data exchange
Revenue cycle leaders share strategies and the benefits for effective data exchange between providers and payers, as well as the challenges in this executive roundtable.