The financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have forced hundreds of hospitals across the nation to furlough, lay off or reduce pay for workers, and others have had to scale back services or close. 

There were more than 300 private equity deals in the healthcare industry in 2019, and the healthcare sector has continued to draw private equity investors in this year. 

Physicians haven't properly coded for stroke patients who transferred from traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage, leading to inflated payments to Medicare Advantage organizations, according to a Sept. 16 report from HHS' Office of Inspector General.

Below are 10 hospitals and health systems that recently posted job listings seeking CFOs.

Patient financial experience is a crucial part of any health system.

In the COVID-19 era, reducing accounts receivable days and achieving accurate reimbursement is more critical than ever, according to Lucian Newman III, MD, a general surgeon at Gadsden, Ala.-based Surgery Clinic and the chief medical information officer for Nuance Communications.

HHS released more details Sept. 19 about the reporting requirements for healthcare organizations that received more than $10,000 in COVID-19 relief payments.

Some rural hospitals that were already struggling are now in serious financial trouble due to the coronavirus.

CMS finalized its end-stage renal disease treatment choices model and radiation oncology payment models Sept. 18.

Hospitals across the U.S. charge private insurers an average of 247 percent more than what Medicare would pay for the same care, according to a RAND Corp. study published Sept. 18. 

Memorial Health System, a five-hospital network in Springfield, Ill., laid off 143 workers, according to The State Journal-Register. 

An analysis of nearly 20 million Americans showed they have a combined $45 billion of medical debt in collections, according to USA Today, which cited an analysis from Credit Karma, a consumer finance company. 

Beginning Jan. 1, hospitals across the nation must disclose the rates they negotiate with Medicare Advantage plans. Some hospitals considered defying the rule, but a new penalty has them rethinking their decision, according to Bloomberg Law. 

University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center has called back nearly all of the 3,474 employees it furloughed in May, according to Spectrum News. 

The Emergency Triage, Treat and Transport model will begin Jan. 1, CMS announced Sept. 16. 

Moody's Investors Service maintained its negative outlook for U.S. for-profit hospitals due to waning federal aid, shifting payer mixes and varying volume trends.

An Illinois federal court has dismissed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging University of Chicago Medical Center, Medical Business Office and Trustmark Recovery Services violated the False Claims Act, according to Bloomberg Law. 

Restaurant chain Panda Express has pledged $20 million to Children's Hospital of Los Angeles to support various healthcare programs and services. 

The estimated $599 million merger of Jefferson Health and Einstein Health Network would push hospital costs higher, an economist commissioned by the Federal Trade Commission testified Sept. 15, according to Law360. 

A bipartisan group of 50 lawmakers in the U.S. House unveiled a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package Sept. 15.