Category Archives: hospital finance

hospital finance

A Snapshot: Is Free Care in Minnesota What It Appears?

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Anne Zieger

With any luck, we’ve finally left the worst of the financial crash behind, and with it the financial challenge posed by large numbers of medically indigent patients.  A recent report from Minnesota’s hospital trade group underscores how bad things were … Continue reading →

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Small-Hospital Mergers A Signal That Crisis Is Upon Us

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

If you’re wondering how healthy an industry is, look at how many smaller players are selling out. And if the smaller players are bailing like rats from the proverbial ship, consider that industry to be in crisis. That’s my theory, … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare news, hospital finance, hospital M&A, Hospital real estate, Non-profit hospital, Safety-net hospitals | Comments Off

Why Not Sell Those Medical Office Buildings?

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

Back when the U.S. financial crisis was at its height, hospitals were searching desperately for assets which could keep them above water. And there was one type of asset which largely held its ground.  Though most other investments tanked, medical … Continue reading →

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Hospital Strategic Partnerships Avoid Mergers, But Create Other Pain Points

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

This is one of those periods in health biz history when M&A looks especially attractive.  What CEO wouldn’t give a second thought to getting acquired and picking up a bundle of cash when they’re struggling to survive? In fact, one … Continue reading →

Posted in accountable care organizations, health it, Healthcare news, hospital administration, hospital finance, hospital M&A, hospital operations, Non-profit hospital | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Hospitals play unfair games with Medicare observation status

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

Most hospital visitors don’t care a whole lot whether they’re classed as inpatients or outpatients  – unless it affects the size of their bill. But lately, many patients are getting hit with unexpected fees after spending days in a hospital, … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare news, hospital administration, hospital finance, hospital operations, Medicare, politics, Revenue cycle management | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

$1M+ pay for non-profit CEOs still an embarassment

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

When a not for-profit hospital recruits a CEO, they certainly need to bear in mind the salaries their candidate might be offered by a for-profit rivals, as well as their not for-profit competitors. However, does that justify a million or … Continue reading →

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FTC: This Merger Looks So Good, It Has To Be Illegal

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

If you’re as cynical as I am, it’s not hard to take a certain amusement in the goings-on in Toledo over the merger between an aggressive for-profit hospital chain and a suburban not-for-profit. Over the past few months, the Federal … Continue reading →

Posted in EHRs, health it, health plans, Healthcare news, hospital finance, hospital M&A, hospital operations, hospital transformation, Non-profit hospital, Takeover | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Another safety-net hospital on life support: Miami’s Jackson Memorial on its last legs?

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

You know, no matter many how many times  you watch it happen, it’s always an ugly spectacle. When a safety-net hospital goes under because, well, being a safety net costs a ton, the poor are left with less than nothing. Worse, … Continue reading →

Posted in hospital administration, hospital finance, hospital operations, hospital transformation, Non-profit hospital, politics, Safety-net hospitals | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

Illinois hospitals shocked, I tell you, shocked at losing non-profit status

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

For years now, legislators have been threatening and posturing over the issue of just how much charity care a non-profit hospital needs to provide to maintain their tax-free status. In prior years, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) struck fear in the … Continue reading →

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Takes from Twitter: Intriguing hospital tidbits

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Katherine Rourke

Here’s some hospital updates from the ever-flowing well of Twitterchat.  I’m not endorsing the tweeters in question, but I was intrigued by these tidbits: @EFS_Consultants Medical Wonder: Meet The CEO Who Rebuilt A Crumbling California Hospital http://ow.ly/1csdwz @Stanford: HP pledges … Continue reading →

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