The future of hospital credit ratings

Description

Abstract: A hospital’s credit rating plays a critical role in ensuring its long-term sustainability. A poor credit rating, after all, makes it difficult — and more costly — to obtain financing. This article explains that, to keep on top of their ratings, hospitals need to stay abreast of the factors that ratings agencies consider when assigning those ratings. As with so many other aspects of the industry, those factors are being affected by evolving reimbursement models that emphasize quality of care and outcomes over quantity of services.