Healthcare Financial Management articles from June 2003

Healthcare Financial Management archives from June 2003

Momentum builds for Medicare payments based on quality. (Policy Watch).(Tommy Thompson meets with hospital executives about Medicare's hospital quality initiative)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Attention to healthcare quality has been a leading concern for HHS and CMS. On April 28, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson reported to a meeting of hospital executives that Medicare's hospital quality initiative will move ahead this fall. The...

Provider-based status instructions issued. (Policy Watch).(CMS issues a new program memorandum)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... CMS has issued a new program memorandum (PM) with implementation instructions for the revised provider-based-status regulations. PM A-03-030 is intended for fiscal intermediaries (FIs), but any provider wrestling with Medicare's...

CMS issues outpatient PPS changes. (Policy Watch).(changes are implemented for hospital outpatient PPS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... CMS has sent fiscal intermediaries instructions to implement the final rule updating the hospital outpatient PPS for 2003. The changes in PM A-03-020 affect new outpatient PPS HCPCS codes, drugs and biologicals eligible for pass-through...

CMS issues instructions on ICD-9-CM coding under HIPAA. (Policy Watch).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Physicians must use the ICD-9-CM code that provides the highest degree of accuracy and completeness in reporting diagnoses under HIPAA X12N 837 Health Care Claims Transactions, CMS advised in a recent PM to durable medical equipment regional...

Medicare coverage of positron emission tomography (PET). (In Brief).(coverage of positron emission tomography will be expanded)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... ... Medicare coverage of positron emission tomography (PET) will be expanded to include the treatment of patients with thyroid cancer and potential cardiac diseases, CMS announced in an April 16 press release. CMS also announced that it is...

Office of Inspector General (OIG). (In Brief).(tells the public to not misuse HHS words, symbols, or emblems in marketing)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... ... The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued an alert to remind the public not to misuse HHS departmental words, symbols, or emblems in marketing. Misuse of the term "Medicare" or "HHS" in advertising could result in penalties of up to...

JCAHO to conduct unannounced surveys in 2006. (Policy Watch).(the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has unveiled plans to begin conducting unannounced accreditation surveys beginning January 2006. The new process, which JCAHO calls "Shared Visions-New Pathways,"...

Rule establishes civil money penalty procedures for HIPAA violators. (Policy Watch).(procedures are established for imposing civil penalties on entities that violate administrative provisions of HIPAA)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... HHS has published an interim final rule (termed the first installment of the "Enforcement Rule") establishing procedures for imposing civil money penalties on entities that violate the administrative simplification provisions of HIPAA. HIPAA...

New Medicare policy proposed. (Policy Watch).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Medicare providers would have to submit enrollment applications and specific identifying information to CMS to obtain and maintain billing privileges, according to a proposed rule published in the April 25 Federal Register. Issuance of an...

MCOs must accept any willing provider. (State Policy Watch).(a U.S. Supreme Court decision rules with states that say managed care organizations must contract with any willing provider)
June 1, 2003... In recent times, it seems that managed care has not been the major concern for state legislatures that it once was. Legislative attention to this issue waned after 46 states enacted comprehensive laws governing managed care. However,...

HFMA: it's personal. (From the Chairman).
June 1, 2003... Our industry revolves around people. We all want the latest technology to help us do our jobs better, but the bottom line is that nothing would get done without people. And some of the finest people in health care are EFMA members. Since...

AHA: malpractice tort reforms reduce costs. (Industry Watch).(the results of an American Hospital Association survey)
June 1, 2003... Medical malpractice tort reforms appear to have had a positive impact on medical liability premium expense growth, the Chicago-based American Hospital Association (AHA) reported in a survey, Professional Liability Insurance: A Growing Crisis,...

Hospital M&A activity falls in 2002. (Industry Watch).(mergers and acquisitions)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Hospital mergers and acquisitions (M&As) dropped in 2002, hitting the lowest level of transactions in 10 years, according to Irving Levin Associates, Inc., New Canaan, Conn. In 2002, 58 deals were announced involving 101 hospitals, compared...

Boom in specialty hospitals signals payment discrepancies. (Industry Watch).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... "The specialty hospital building boom and intense competition for profitable cardiac and orthopedic services are signs that we're paying too much for these procedures and perhaps not paying enough for other services," said Paul Ginsburg,...

Payers enable patients to rate quality. (Industry Watch).(Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey introduces services to let members rate the quality of medical care they receive)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has introduced web-based services that enable its members to rate the quality of care they receive from physicians and hospitals. The Newark-based plan has launched a web portal that offers a set of...

Health plan enrollment for covered workers. (Industry Watch).(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Health Plan Enrollment for Covered Workers, by Plan Type, 1988-2002 Conventional HMO PPO POS 1988 73% 16% 11% -- 1993 46% 21% 26% 7% 1996 27% 31% 28% 14% 1998 14% 27%...

Hospital discharges on the rise. (Industry Watch).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Hospitals across the country experienced a 4 percent increase in discharges, while available beds decreased slightly in 1999 and 2000, Evanston, Ill.-based Solucient reported in a guidebook titled Profiles of U.S. Hospitals. The guide features...

Leapfrog updates hospital patient safety survey. (Industry Watch).(the Leapfrog Group)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... The Leapfrog Group recently revised its hospital patient-safety survey, replacing volume-based measures with reporting of risk-adjusted clinical process and outcome measures. In addition, the group expanded its definition of intensivists and...

Schaller Anderson, Inc., named one of nation's top 10 fast-growing urban companies. (Industry Watch).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... Schaller Anderson, Inc. (SAI), a national healthcare management and consulting company in Phoenix has been named one of the top 10 fast-growing companies in America's core urban areas by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and...

Quotes of note. (Industry Watch).
June 1, 2003... "Short-term federal aid alone does not solve the fundamental problems." --Bill Pierce, spokesperson for HHS secretary Tommy Thompson, responding to Congressional calls for immediate relief to the states that are facing severe Medicaid...

Chapter life members announced. (HFMA News).
June 1, 2003... The following members recently were approved for HFMA chapter life membership: > Louis Giammarino, FHFMA, CPA, New Jersey Chapter > Carolyn A. Wadlinger, Northeast Ohio Chapter > E. T. Seely, CHFP, Southern Illinois Chapter >...

Chicago Fed appoints HFMA president to Advisory Council. (HFMA News).(HFMA president and CEO Richard L. Clarke is named to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago 2003 Seventh District Advisory Council)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... HFMA's president and CEO, Richard L. Clarke, FHFMA, has been named to serve on the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago 2003 Seventh District Advisory Council. The council promotes communication between the Chicago Fed and representatives from...

Patient Friendly Billing nationally recognized. (HFMA News).(HFMA is added to the 2003 Associations Advance America Honor Roll for its role with the Patient Friendly Billing project)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... HFMA has been added to the 2003 Associations Advance America Honor Roll for its leadership of the PATIENT FRIENDLY BILLING[R] project, an ongoing effort to help healthcare organizations produce clear, correct, concise, and patient-friendly...

Congress urged to pass Medicaid DSH bills. (HFMA News).(HFMA and other healthcare organizations lobby for bills to restore funding to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital program)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... HFMA joined nine other national healthcare organizations in asking Congress to support two bills that would restore funding to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) program and allow related programs to grow. The two pieces of...

Billing project releases newsletter. (HFMA News).
June 1, 2003... The PATIENT FRIENDLY BILLING[R] project recently released a newsletter, The Patient Friendly Focus, as part of its ongoing effort to help healthcare organizations produce clear, correct, concise, and patient-friendly financial communications....

A line in the sand: the politics of Medicare reform; it took President Bush and coalition troops only 21 days to topple the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. (Eye On Washington).
June 1, 2003... But after two and a half years, the president's domestic policy agenda is still a work in progress. After initial successes, including gaining a first round of tax cuts of over $2 trillion, the president has been stymied in getting his...

EMTALA compliance tips. (Business).(complying with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act)
June 1, 2003... A patient arrives in the hospital emergency department (ED). When hospital personnel begin to assist the patient, he says, "I don't have insurance. Will you still take care of me?" While waiting for a physician, an ED patient mentions, "I have...

Hospitals await final outlier rule. (Medicare/Medicaid).(the CMS announces a proposed rule to overhaul they payment methodology for outliers)
June 1, 2003... Hospitals are expecting substantial changes in payment for outliers. CMS has been promising to overhaul the payment methodology for outliers since this past November, when a Wall Street analyst released a report questioning outlier...

Healthcare finance is personal for HFMA's new chairman, David Canfield: hard work, education, people, people, and more people are the passions of HFMA's 2003-04 chairman. (Special Section).(a profile of Canfield & Associates president David Canfield)(Biography)
June 1, 2003... Ask Dave Canfield about healthcare finance. Ask Dave Canfield about careers. Ask Dave about HFMA. And the response inevitably boils down to one word: people. David Canfield, FHFMA, president of Canfield & Associates, the accounts...

Investment management: 8 steps to improve performance: to help realize your organization's financial goals, it's important to employ an investment evaluation process based on sound, well-proven economic practices. (Cover Story).(Cover Story)
June 1, 2003... There's no denying times are tough. The average defined-benefit plan went from being 100 percent funded in January 2002 to 77 percent funded in September And of the 360 companies in the S&P 500 that have defined-benefit plans, 90 are...

Building bridges with clinicians: bringing clinicians and ancillary staff up to speed on healthcare financial management can enhance cost-containment efforts. (Feature Story).(Cover Story)
June 1, 2003... Healthcare organizations strive to deliver high-quality care cost-effectively. Senior financial executives develop goals aimed at managing costs and maintaining quality of care. Nonclinical managers and finance staff work with the department or...

CareTech Solutions, Inc. (Product/Service Mart).
June 1, 2003... CareTech Solutions is a recognized leader in healthcare information technology (IT) outsourcing. We provide healthcare organizations with flexible solutions that translate to improved performance, reduced costs, regulatory compliance and...

"We're just what the hospital ordered". (Product/Service Mart).
June 1, 2003... YOUR SEARCH IS OVER! Legal Rx LLP is a law firm comprised of skilled attorneys devoted to maximizing recovery for your facility. Our attorneys have collected millions for healthcare providers by offering the following services: RECOVERY...

Extended Business Office Services. (Product/Service Mart).
June 1, 2003... Perot Systems' Extended Business Olf ice Service Centers reduce your dependency on collection agencies and increase cash flow. By establishing a secure, realtime connection between our service centers and your business office, we can complement...

Pioneer Credit Recovery, Inc.--leader in the collection of accounts receivable. (Product/Service Mart).
June 1, 2003... Located in the heart of Western NY, Pioneer Credit Recovery is a name synonymous with success. Nationally recognized, with over 22 years of experience, we utilize skilled personnel, high-end technology and proven collection programs to remain...

The better way. (Product/Service Mart).
June 1, 2003... We at Incipient understand your challenges. That's why we bring a strong team of highly skilled people to the relationship. Our management has walked in the shoes of the PFS professional. We have a long history of meeting - and exceeding - PFS...

Primary lessons for success: rural primary care networks (PCNs) don't have to be a financial drain. Lessons learned by one organization show how it's possible to use a PCN to expand your customer base and improve service efficiency. (Feature Story).
June 1, 2003... For many providers, primary care networks (PCNs) have failed to make the grade. The networks frequently post large operating losses, and divestiture from integrated delivery systems (IDSs) has become an all too common occurrence. Yet for some...

Tips on transforming an organization: one of the new buzz words in health care is "transformation." This word often is preceded by the words clinical cycle, revenue cycle, or supply chain. (Leadership and Management).
June 1, 2003... What does transforming an organization mean? How does transforming an organization differ from process improvement, total quality management, management by objectives, two-way communication, or change management? Transforming an organization is...

When to think compliance and when to think opportunity: most healthcare providers have spent a fair amount of time and money on HIPAA's April 14, 2003, privacy standards compliance deadline. (Digital Perspectives).
June 1, 2003... And although the HIPAA privacy regulations may lead to better protection of patient health information and create a climate of confidentiality, the related expenses will yield little for healthcare providers in improved earnings. As a result,...

Home sweet deductible home: whether you own a large house on an estate or a condominium in a high-rise building, your home is probably the last great widely available tax shelter. (Personal Finance).
June 1, 2003... The real-estate market has been strong in recent years, and mortgage rates are at historic lows, encouraging many people to buy new homes or refinance existing mortgages. Home ownership offers not only the opportunity to invest in an asset that...

Calendar.(Illustration)(Calendar)
June 1, 2003... Calendar Level Seminar 10/27-30 11/17-20 Atlanta Phoenix Financial Management/Reimbursement 2 Using Activity-Based Information ...

HFMA ANI 2003 Baltimore.
June 1, 2003... Dear friends: How do we meet the challenges we face in healthcare finance? I have four strategies: * Keep on top of the latest information. * Surround yourself with new perspectives and solutions. * Stay in touch with people...

Sunday events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2003... June 22, 2003 Your ANI Experience Begins Today Events Preconference Programs 8:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m. See pages 12-17 for locations ANI's Preconference Programs offer a truly smart way to begin your ANI...

Monday events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2003... June 23, 2003 Highlights Opening General Assembly 8:30 am. - 10:00 a.m. Ballroom 400 Level Baltimore Convention Center Cal Ripken Jr. Future Hall of Fame Shortstop Retired Third Baseman, Baltimore Orioles ...

Tuesday events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2003... June 24, 2003 Highlights General Assembly 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Ballroom 400 Level Baltimore Convention Center Glenn Hackbarth Chairman, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Get an inside perspective as...

Wednesday events.(Calendar)
June 1, 2003... June 25,2003 Events Continental Breakfast 7:30 a.m.--8:30 a.m. Ballroom Foyer, 400 Level Baltimore Convention Center Start your day off energized with a free continental breakfast for all conference participants. ...

Additional events and options.(Calendar)
June 1, 2003... Idea Exchange Exhibit Monday, June 23-Tuesday, June 24 Halls E/F/G too Level Baltimore Convention Center Get in the Know at the ANI 2003 Idea Exchange Exhibit! On Monday and Tuesday, you'll have the opportunity to...

Exhibitors List. (A-C).(directory)(Directory)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Exhibitors List * Company Booth # ACA International/Healthcare Services Program 917 4040 W 70th St, Minneapolis, MN 55435 952-926-6547; fax: 952-926-1624...

Exhibitors List. (D-H).(directory)(Directory)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Exhibitors List * Company Booth # Dairyland Healthcare Solutions 309 625 S Lakeshore Dr, Glenwood, MN 56334 320-634-5331; toll-free: 800-323-6987;...

Exhibitors List. (I-O).(directory)(Directory)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Exhibitors List * Company Booth # I.C. System 228 444 Hwy 96 E. St. Paul, MN 55127 toll-free: 800-279-3511; fax:...

Exhibitors List. (P-Z).(directory)(Directory)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... Exhibitors List * Company Booth # Palmer & Cay 120 3348 Peachtree Rd NE. Ste 1400, Atlanta, GA 30355 404-231-9595; toll free:...

Annual National Institute.(information on the upcoming conference)(Illustration)
June 1, 2003... 2003 Annual National Institute Sunday, June 22 Monday, June 23 Track Preconference Programs Financial Management 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m....

Map out a customized educational program for yourself through eight program tracks. (HFMA ANI 2003 Baltimore).
June 1, 2003... PFS/Revenue Cycle Discover advanced solutions, tools and knowledge to significantly impact your revenue cycle operations and accomplish your organization's goals. ANI's revenue cycle sessions provide you with the ability to secure your...

ANI offers continuing education. (HFMA ANI 2003 Baltimore).(the Healthcare Financial Management Association sponsors continuing professional education)
June 1, 2003... The Healthcare Financial Management Association is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of...

HFMA volunteers: it's personal; June is the beginning of HFMA's fiscal year and represents the changing of the guard for HFMA volunteers. For some, it is a satisfying conclusion to a period of Association leadership. (From the President).
June 1, 2003... For others, it represents a new phase of involvement with new responsibilities and new challenges. For all, it represents a commitment to something larger than the individual--giving back by contributing to the whole. That's what volunteerism...