We’re continuing the summary of the Moody’s Investors Service report on integrated planning and financial viability. Last week we covered investments in off-campus sites while maintaining high-margin inpatient services. Today we focus on the remaining components of integrated planning: digitalization, investment in talent and operational and funding flexibility. Digitalization Information technology investments […]
Evolving industry pressures will require hospitals/systems to focus on their business strategies and prudent allocation of limited capital and financial resources. Financial viability and competitiveness will require expanded patient access, digital efficiencies, top talent and financial flexibility. Moody’s Investors Service analyzed each of the above components in its recent Sector-in-Depth, Flexibility, integrated planning key […]
Balance sheet strength, measured on both an absolute and relative basis, as well as liquidity, significantly drives not-for-profit and public hospitals’ credit quality. Stock market growth over the last several years has been impressive. However, in keeping with historic trends, volatility—temporary market fluctuations or a short-term downturn—will trouble institutional investors in the near term, according […]
Moody’s Investors Service recently released its preliminary medians for 2017. The results show a continuing decline in not-for-profit and public hospitals’ profitability metrics. Margins hit 10-year lows—falling below levels seen during the last recession. Profitability margins mark 10-year low. The median operating cash flow margin dipped to 8.1% as expense growth outpaced revenue growth […]
This week we feature excerpts of a discussion with Marian Jennings of M. Jennings Consulting and an iProtean, now part of Veralon expert. Marian covers the importance of “doing more with less” and the most effective approaches to reducing costs. iProtean, now part of Veralon: Why should we be focusing so much attention […]
Capital markets, which have been relatively stable over the last several years, have begun a slow but consistent rise in interest rates. This means healthcare organizations should prepare for a higher cost of capital. The outlook becomes confusing, however, because of “recent significant policy developments” from the current congress and administration, notes the author […]
No Medicaid lifetime limits and a hard stance on ACO risk contracts highlighted CMS head Seema Verma’s talk at the American Hospital Association’s recent annual meeting. “We’re determined to make sure that Medicaid remains the safety net for those who need it most,” Verma said. “To that end, we have determined we will not approve […]
As the healthcare market expands and evolves, the inherent risks also are increasing. These risks include: The shift from volume to value The rise of the consumer and expansion of consumer options New payment models Mobile strategies New entrants An aging population Continued political and regulatory uncertainty Whereas hospitals/systems have traditionally done well at […]
A high volume of mergers and acquisitions between and among hospitals and health systems continue to dominate the healthcare landscape, with an increasing number of transactions anticipated in 2018.1 The benefits of consolidation are well known: Enhanced access to care and increased market share by providing specialty or subspecialty physician coverage previously unavailable or by […]
Earlier this month, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) voted to cut reimbursement for some freestanding emergency rooms in urban areas. Industry analysts warned that the cuts could undermine access to care. Freestanding emergency departments receive Medicare payments equal to hospital emergency departments even though they have lower standby costs than on-campus emergency rooms, […]