Susan Kelly

Healthcare systems have used value analysis for years but the practice is gaining renewed attention as reimbursement pressures continue rising.

Healthcare systems have used value analysis since the 1990s, but the process is gaining more prominence amid the uncertainty created by healthcare reform and other changes in the way hospitals are reimbursed.

New research suggests that accountable care organizations should make payments to patient-centered medical homes or take other steps to support them financially, since their goals are similarly transformative.

One key to putting together strong financial projections for healthcare projects is taking time at the outset to consider the design.

Financial models involve a whole series of assumptions about such elements as volume, payer mix and salaries. While a health system may have historical data to work from, putting together projections for a new line of business is more difficult.

New research suggests that accountable care organizations should make payments to patient-centered medical homes or take other steps to support them financially, since their goals are similarly transformative.

Hospitals are educating their staff and reworking their processes to comply with Medicare's two-midnight rule, which will likely reduce hospital revenue by shifting patients from inpatient to outpatient status.

Hospitals are educating their staff and reworking their processes to comply with Medicare's two-midnight rule, which will likely reduce hospital revenue by shifting patients from inpatient to outpatient status.