Healthcare
Showing 321–336 of 454 results
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10 capital financing strategies for turbulent times
Fall 2011
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 320
Abstract: The capital financing environment for hospitals has become quite volatile and unpredictable. Hospitals and health systems have had to contend with limited capital access, fewer options, higher costs, more restrictive terms and less flexibility than in previous years. Volatility and unexpected events are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. This article offers 10 strategies that can help keep a hospital afloat.
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Economic credentialing: Part 2
Fall 2011
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 775
Abstract: When HMOs were morphing into MCOs more than 20 years ago, there was a strong movement to accept onto provider panels only physicians who could practice cost-efficient medicine. Such “economic credentialing” provoked vigorous debate. Now, the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has brought economic credentialing back to the forefront. The PPACA’s Medicare Shared Savings Program will offer incentives to enhance care quality, improve clinical outcomes and increase the value of services delivered through the development of Accountable Care Organizations. This article shows where the issues stand now.
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How to succeed under CMS’s hospital VBP program
Fall 2011
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 914
Abstract: It used to be called “pay-for-performance.” Now CMS describes it as “value-based purchasing” (VBP). Beginning in fiscal year 2013, per-discharge payments from base operating diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) to participating hospitals will be reduced. Hospitals then will have an opportunity to earn back those payment reductions — and more — through CMS’s VBP program. This article explains how the program represents the new paradigm for payment to hospitals initially, and for nearly all health care providers eventually. A sidebar shows how to prepare for current and future VBP criteria.
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Private equity firms: Could they help save your hospital?
Fall 2011
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1018
Abstract: Investment in one sector of the hospital industry has been picking up: capital infusions by private equity firms into not-for-profit hospitals and hospital systems. The common goal of these transactions is to earn above-average profits for the equity investors while maintaining the charitable missions and long-term survivability of the hospitals. But this article examines whether these are contradictory aims, and whether private equity firms can provide relief to financially stressed hospitals. A sidebar provides a list of some of the more active hospital-focused firms, along with the entities that make the investments.
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Practice Notes – The pros and cons of leaving insurers’ provider panels
Fall 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 480
Abstract: Many physicians are seeing fewer advantages to remaining on an insurance company’s provider panel. They’re opting instead to become out-of-network providers for the same insurer. They do so because, in addition to avoiding billing and payment headaches that come with health plan relationships, out-of-network status can lead to higher reimbursement rates. But, as this article explains, there are risks to consider as well.
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Staff engagement leads to staff loyalty
Fall 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 760
Abstract: Employees are motivated by more than monetary compensation. Well-run practices also meet many other needs, thereby creating a critical component of any successful organization — the engaged employee. This article discusses the importance of offering employees nonmonetary rewards that are tailored to each individual. A sidebar notes that exit interviews can be helpful to learn lessons from employees who decide to leave.
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Protect your practice – Use a buy-sell agreement to minimize disputes
Fall 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 799
Abstract: In the wake of health care reform, practices may be flooded with new patients, so it may be advisable to hire one or more physicians to help with the workload. If so, and if these physicians intend to take an ownership share of the practice, it’s important to make sure each one signs a buy-sell agreement. Why? Because it can protect a practice from disgruntled physicians and minimize disputes should they arise. This article addresses such issues as defining and appraising the practice’s assets, dividing practice income among partners, practice control issues and other considerations.
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12 tips for negotiating physician employment agreements
Fall 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 683
Abstract: Until they become partner-owners, most physicians have an employment relationship with their physician group. When it’s time to negotiate or renegotiate an employment contract, there are critical issues that must be understood and settled. A written physician employment agreement can make sure each physician understands and is comfortable with every contract provision. This article offers 12 common provisions that should be included in a practice’s contracts to address such issues as compensation, relocation loans and restrictive covenants.
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Reducing hospital readmissions is a CMS priority
Summer 2011
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 538
Abstract: It’s estimated that a large percentage of hospital readmissions of elderly patients are “potentially preventable.” As a result, CMS has launched initiatives to reduce readmission rates and the associated costs. This article discusses increased CMS authority to cut payments to hospitals that have high readmission rates for a variety of conditions. It describes two broad approaches for reducing the rates and lists strategies that have helped several hospitals.
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Have you started EHR implementation? If not, you may miss out on incentive payments
Summer 2011
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 623
Abstract: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 enables health care providers, physicians and hospitals to qualify for incentive payments when they adopt and demonstrate “meaningful use” of health care information technologies, particularly electronic health records (EHR). Beginning this year, hospitals can receive the first group of incentive payments by satisfying 19 requirements described in Stage One of the meaningful-use rule. This article shows how to get started.
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Taking a preemptive strike against hospital/physician contracting risks
Summer 2011
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 888
Abstract: Within the U.S. health care system, there’s a spotlight on compensated relationships hospitals have with their physicians, as the federal government cracks down on health care fraud and abuse. To preempt the substantial damages awards and settlements that can result from improper hospital-physician contracting arrangements, hospitals should develop compliance procedures for establishing new compensated physician relationships. This article shows how to establish such procedures, while a sidebar warns against forgetting to examine existing arrangements.
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High-risk areas for hospital compliance – How to ensure you abide by the rules
Summer 2011
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 895
Abstract: The sheer number of legal obligations that apply to hospital operations grows annually. And the consequences of violating or not complying with those obligations can result in large damages awards or settlements, government-imposed compliance programs, and exclusion from Medicare participation. But this article shows ways to reduce risk. It looks at the importance of employee education programs and discusses especially high-risk areas for noncompliance.
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Practice Notes – When it’s time to sell, you’ll know
Summer 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 483
Abstract: There’s an increasing trend of hospital ownership of physician practices. This article discusses the pros and cons of selling a practice, along with specific considerations a physician should take into account if a hospital expresses interest in his or her practice.
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Clinical comanagement – A relationship based on trust
Summer 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 595
Abstract: Clinical comanagement, whereby a hospital buys or contracts for physician-led management services, is a significant step toward integrating operations — which is fundamental to health care system reforms. But it’s important to be mindful of the legal and practical factors involved. This article looks at the two forms of comanagement, along with the obligations of both hospitals and physicians. It also discusses a few of the legal considerations.
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Is your practice at risk? – How to identify areas susceptible to error or negligence
Summer 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 739
Abstract: Many practices are allowing revenue to fly out the window at alarming rates simply because their billing and coding processes aren’t up to snuff. But an internal billing and coding audit can put a stop to it. This article explains why these audits are important, how to bring together a team of individuals to oversee the process, and what steps they need to perform.
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Making the business case for EHR implementation
Summer 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 949
Abstract: Most of the literature that promotes the installation of an electronic health records (EHR) system emphasizes the clinical benefits it will produce. Yet there appear to be plenty of valid business reasons for investing in such a system. This article looks at studies that offer varying types of EHR-related data, such as how EHR systems are being used, the experiences that physicians are having with them, and the costs involved. A sidebar lists many nonclinical benefits of EHR.