Hospital/physician relations
Although they're not expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, Texas, Florida and other states are expanding managed care, bringing insurers opportunities as well as challenges, including competition from provider-based health plans.
Hospitals know they must keep their physicians engaged, but often find themselves at a loss as to how to accomplish this. Dan Wittlock offers five tips to hospitals for keeping their doctors engaged.
Last month, Paul R. Bengston, CEO of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, a small, critical access hospital located in St. Johnsbury, Vt., was chosen to lead the American Hospital Association's Section for Small or Rural Hospitals in 2014. The 21-person governing council represents small or rural hospitals in the AHA's policy process and member services initiatives.
Since the recession first began in 2008, hospitals and health systems have continually seen a drop in inpatient volumes. Most industry experts say they expect more of the same for the rest of 2014 and even the next five years or so.
Many healthcare organizations are realizing that in less than nine months, ICD-10 will be upon them. Healthcare Finance News talked to some industry experts to find out where organizations are in the run up to Oct. 1.
In 2007, BCBS of Massachusetts asked Lowell General Hospital to accept a monthly capitated payment to care for its HMO members. The hospital simultaneously saw the potential and recognized the risks.
Empowered consumers, rapid innovation and increasing competition are among PwC's top health industry issues for 2014.
Hospitals have been acquiring physician practices and have been doing so for years, but a case resting in the hands of a federal judge in Boise is proving to be a "banner" case for these sorts of mergers and acquisitions.
Hospitals in the state of Maine are bracing for an uncertain future in 2014. Maine is one of 23 states not planning on expanding Medicaid this year.
Hospitals and health systems will face ever more pressure in 2014 to establish the core skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing healthcare market.