Stay on top of your credit rating

Description

Abstract: A good credit rating is key to obtaining financing, so it’s important to be aware of how agencies evaluate it. Utilization metrics have historically focused primarily on inpatient activity. But because the Affordable Care Act has prompted a shift away from inpatient care toward outpatient and ambulatory care, the major credit ratings agencies have begun to incorporate new metrics that reflect a hospital’s ability to deliver quality care at a reasonable cost. This article discusses these factors and points out that taking the proper steps to enhance care can benefit a hospital’s credit rating.