6 Key Elements of a Physician Strategy

by Mark Dubow, Director
and Rudd Kierstead, Principal

Open PDF file >

As health system physician enterprises have grown, addressing their challenges are central to health system success. Engaging physicians and supporting health system goals requires a cohesive approach.   Contact the Experts: Mark Dubow, Director, mdubow@veralon.com Rudd Kierstead, Principal, rkierstead@veralon.com

3 Ways to Use Hospital Price Transparency Data for Competitive Advantage

by John Harris, Director
and Clare O'Mara, Senior Associate

Open PDF file >

Shifting a $1 trillion dollar industry from confidential contracts to publicly published pricing is a massive transformation. In the middle of recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, hospitals are responding to this transformation. Background: The hospital price transparency rules require consumer-friendly tools to help individuals shop for hospital services based on price. They also require hospitals […]

3 Key Factors to Analyze as Cardiac Procedures Move to Outpatient

by Mark J. Dubow, Director
and Ross Shuster, Manager

Open PDF file >

By recategorizing procedures previously designated inpatient only, CMS is actively redirecting a significant number of cases to Hospital Outpatient Department (“HOPD”) and community-based ambulatory surgery center (“ASC”) settings. We have discussed the impact this will have on outpatient surgery, and strategies to prepare. This outpatient shift will also affect cardiac services, creating both risks and […]

Launching a Community Oncology Center: 5 Key Considerations

by Meredith Inniger, Manager

Open PDF file >

Rapid evolution in diagnostics and treatment for cancer care, innovation through genomics and predictive analytics, the continuing shift toward value-based care are hastening the migration of oncology from hospital settings to community-based centers.  This raises the question: Is now the right time to invest in a community oncology center? The experiences of multiple health systems […]

The Surgery Shift from Inpatient – Assessing the Financial Impact

by Mark J. Dubow, Director
and Meredith Inniger, Manager

Open PDF file >

Surgery has long been a key driver of hospital profitability. Effectively handling the new Medicare outpatient surgery rule[1] and subsequent care shift to outpatient settings is critical to long term financial success. This rule includes several important policy changes, most notably the elimination of the Inpatient Only List on a phased schedule through CY2024 when […]

3 Ways to Build Relationships with Physicians Now

by Karin Chernoff Kaplan, Director
and Rudd Kierstead, Principal

Open PDF file >

Many independent physicians are financially challenged as the COVID-19 impact continues. Some may find employment or other alignment opportunities attractive now, even if they have not shown interest in the past. Health systems that work to develop relationships with these physicians now will be at an advantage.

Interactions of Medicare Alternative Payment Models

by John Harris, Director
and Amanda Brown, Manager

Open PDF file >

CMS continues to authorize voluntary and mandatory alternative payment models (APMs) to shift risk to providers. Beyond choosing which models offer the best opportunity, providers must evaluate the impact of participating in multiple APMs simultaneously. Overlapping APMs can be synergistic or self-defeating. Where simultaneous participation is an option, overlapping incentives are complicated and may not […]

Why It May Be Time for Health Systems to Restructure their Physician Enterprises

by Daniel M. Grauman, Managing Director & CEO
and John Harris, Director

Open PDF file >

Even before the pandemic, the median loss per physician employed by a hospital or health system totaled more than $278,000. Now, as hospitals face their biggest financial crisis ever, hospital leaders must consider: “Is there a better structure for our physician enterprise?” The pain points that hospitals and physicians experience under an employed physician enterprise […]

Choosing the Optimal Strategic Relationships

by Mark Dubow, Director
and John Harris, Director

Open PDF file >

Your organization’s near-term success is dependent on emerging from COVID in full sprint to address critical strategic initiatives and new opportunities. Strategic relationships can provide access to capabilities, expertise and speed to market that are superior to a “build” or “buy” approach. While traditional relationships (other hospitals/systems, health plans, etc.) offer a degree of support, […]