Health Care Pricing, Doorbells and Peanut Shells
The difference in charges for identical services depending on the source of payment is difficult for patients to understand, and even more difficult for providers to explain. With more intense scrutiny on private sector prices arising from higher insurance deductibles and enthusiasm by policymakers over transparency, it is hard to ignore.
MoreBickering in the Back Seat: The Case for All Payer Pricing
In his latest essay entitled “Bickering in the Back Seat: The Case for All Payer Pricing”, Vizient Research Institute executive director Tom Robertson reminisces about a common childhood memory while contemplating the future direction of health care finance.
MoreWinning More by Losing Less: Taking a Cue from Baseball
With the major league baseball playoffs underway, Vizient Research Institute executive director Tom Robertson draws parallels between the national pastime and the typical medical center or health system’s financial business model. In this latest essay, Tom shares findings from the Institute’s last major study, pointing to opportunities to enhance the bottom line while improving the lives of our most vulnerable patients.
MoreThere’s No Easy Button For Improving Risk-Adjusted Mortality
When hospital leaders are presented with performance improvement opportunities uncovered through Vizient's clinical benchmarking data, it’s not uncommon for them to first look for reasons for below-average performance rather than consider what changes could be implemented to improve. This happened recently after presenting a length-of-stay (LOS) opportunity to leaders of a large hospital.
MoreThe Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence in Health Care
Hundreds of companies are developing medical artificial intelligence applications with billions of dollars in venture capital. Adoption is in the early stages; helping physicians with image interpretation and diagnostic support. But make no mistake, AI is poised to transform the health care landscape.
MoreDemographic Data Collection and Use: Pandora’s Box or Treasure Trove?
Health care organizations collect patient demographic data including race, ethnicity and language (REAL) to fulfill meaningful use attestation, meet federal accreditation requirements and adhere to CLAS standards (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services). How organizations use this data, however, varies greatly. Many organizations are beginning to use the information with their clinical quality and safety improvement efforts.
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