Reimbursement cuts that will result from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will have a significant impact on hospitals. These across-the-board reductions in Medicare payments could result in decreases of an estimated $6.5 million per hospital per year — for the next 10 years. The author discusses a number of possible options for providers in dealing with the change in the financial environment:
- Stop taking new Medicare patients — or Medicare patients at all
- Layoff employees
- Tighten up operational efficiency
- Take advantage of government subsidies available for purchase of electronic health records
Source: Perez, K. Preparing for ACA-driven Medicare cuts. HFM. Healthcare Financial Management;67(1):40-43, Jan. 2013. Click here for publisher’s website: http://www.hfma.org/Content.aspx?id=14873 Posted by AHA Resource Center, (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org
Filed under: Financial management, Future trends, Health reform, Hospital costs, Medicaid, Posted by Kim Garber |
American Hospital Association Resource Center Blog 