Blog
Through our blog we hope to provide information and insight to assist leadership in the overall strategic direction and execution of operations, particularly as it applies to community healthcare providers.
As COVID-19 Cases Increase, Challenges Mount for Rural Healthcare Providers
Posted on July 14, 2020
Rural hospitals have no shortage of problems that present a drag on their bottom lines: low patient volumes, provider shortages, regulatory burdens, high prescription drug costs.
Community Health Needs Assessment—So Much More Than a Regulatory Requirement
Posted on July 07, 2020
Every three years nonprofit hospitals and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are required to conduct a community health needs assessment (CHNA).
How COVID-19 Will Affect Rural Hospitals’ Revenue Cycle Management
Posted on July 02, 2020
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a drag on the bottom lines of many rural hospitals, despite the fact that the disease has yet to fully infiltrate many rural areas. One of the reasons for this is the sharp decline in patient volumes. At least 15 rural hospitals have closed their doors so far in 2020, with many citing declines in patient volumes as a reason.
Industry Trends Impacting Rural Nursing Part 2
Posted on June 17, 2020
According to the United States Census Bureau, about 60 million people, or one in five Americans, live in rural America. In general, rural areas are sparsely populated, have low housing density, and are far from urban centers. While urban areas make up only 3 percent of the entire land area of the country, they are home to more than 80 percent of the population.
Transitional Care Management: Unlocking the Key to Better Outcomes (and HCAHPS Scores)
Posted on June 10, 2020
In 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced transitional care management (TCM) codes, a set of services designed to, as the name suggests, improve the care transition following a hospitalization. Since the program’s start, more than 5 million TCM claims have been filed, representing total reimbursement in 2018 of $243 million, according to a recently published JAMA article.
Interim Leaders: Filling the Gaps During Recovery and Beyond
Posted on June 04, 2020
Every hospital board understands the role interim leaders play when an executive leaves the organization, whether suddenly or because of a planned departure. At a minimum, an interim keeps the seat warm as the hospital searches for its next permanent leader.
Industry Trends Impacting Rural Nursing Part 1
Posted on May 28, 2020
According to the United States Census Bureau, about 60 million people, or one in five Americans, live in rural America. In general, rural areas are sparsely populated, have low housing density, and are far from urban centers.
Making the Connection: Annual Wellness Visits and Care Coordination
Posted on May 20, 2020
Despite Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) being covered by Medicare since 2011, they remain misunderstood – and not only by the patients who might benefit most from them, but also by primary care providers.
Emergency Departments and Mental Health: A Crisis for Rural Communities
Posted on May 14, 2020
There is a growing mental health crisis in the United States with more people, including those with severe mental health issues, needing professional care. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) stated that before the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly one in five U.S. adults (47 million) reported having a mental illness in the past year, and over 11 million had a severe mental illness.
The Importance of Rural Care Providers in a Pandemic
Posted on May 04, 2020
In recent months, COVID-19 cases have mostly been confined to urban centers and corresponding suburbs. However, many epidemiologists predict the virus will invade less densely populated areas throughout the U.S., starting in the fall of this year.