News

Patient outcomes at each of the nation’s 5,000 non-federal hospitals indicate a wide gap in quality between the best hospitals and all others.

THE DEBATE over healthcare reform seems to be focusing on personal fears and the bottom line. The Congressional Budget Office is responsible for “scoring” legislation. That is, they analyze the cost of a bill in an overall way, balancing the initial costs with the expected savings in the future.

The inaugural Healthcare Finance News Virtual Conference and Exhibition in mid-October, which featured expert speakers on various healthcare finance issues, offered one overriding message: Healthcare providers should prepare for significant change.

Two financial seminars are on tap for attendees of the Radiological Society of North America’s 95th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting.

A new report says employer-sponsored insurance has declined every year since 2000, currently leaving 45.7 million people under 65 without coverage – and another 10 million people will lose their coverage within the year unless the economy improves or health reform is passed

Since July, physicians in the PacificSource Health Plans network have been submitting their claims in real time – which results in faster payment – and letting patients know their financial responsibility at the point of service.

While there is widespread support on Capitol Hill for fixing the complicated payment formula used to reimburse physicians who participate in Medicare, an October 21 Senate vote shows there is no consensus on how to do that.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society has acquired the Nashville-based Medical Banking Project, moving the Chicago-based healthcare IT professional society more broadly into healthcare finance and administration.

With a House vote on the health reform package looming and Democrats still scrambling for support, the legislation got a much-needed nod of support Thursday from doctors and seniors.