Four major for-profit hospital operators saw their stock prices fall last week.  By Kelly Gooch - 12/17/18

The $867 billion farm bill passed by Congress allows for the refinancing of certain rural hospital debt, according to the American Hospital Association.  By Kelly Gooch - 12/14/18

An estimated $341 million was spent on unnecessary healthcare treatment in Washington state from July 2016-17, according to the nonprofit Washington Health Alliance.  By Morgan Haefner - 12/14/18

The following hospital and health system credit rating and outlook changes or affirmations occurred in the last week, beginning with the most recent:  By Leo Vartorella - 12/14/18

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "A3," "Aa3/P-1," and "P-1" ratings for Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health.  By Leo Vartorella - 12/14/18

Moody's Investors Service affirmed its "Baa2" rating for North Broward (Fla.) Hospital District, which operates Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health, affecting $317 million of debt outstanding.  By Leo Vartorella - 12/14/18

Fitch Ratings assigned an "AA-" issuer default rating to Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health and affirmed the system's "AA-" long-term rating, affecting $5.8 billion of bonds.  By Leo Vartorella - 12/14/18

Fitch Ratings assigned an "AA" rating to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.  By Leo Vartorella - 12/14/18

Fitch Ratings affirmed its "BB" rating for Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, affecting $33.3 billion of debt.  By Leo Vartorella - 12/14/18

In any given month, 1 in 6 American families pays an extraordinary medical bill of about $2,000, according to a policy brief published by Health Affairs.  By Morgan Haefner - 12/14/18

Several hospitals in Oklahoma and Tennessee managed by the same company missed payroll, prompting one CEO to resign.  By Ayla Ellison - 12/14/18

The following six health systems recently released their financial statements for the nine-month period ended Sept. 30:  By Ayla Ellison - 12/14/18

Below are 10 hospitals and health systems that posted job listings seeking revenue cycle management expertise in the last week.  By Alia Paavola - 12/13/18

Growth in insurance premiums and prescription drug prices is outpacing growth in hospital prices, according to an analysis by the American Hospital Association.  By Kelly Gooch - 12/13/18

Hospitals may be losing significant money if their revenue cycles aren't focused on collecting from patient accounts that are most likely to generate full reimbursement, according to an analysis from TransUnion Healthcare, part of credit and information management company TransUnion.   By Kelly Gooch - 12/13/18

Louisville, Ky.-based Baptist Healthcare System improved its operating performance in fiscal year 2018 as its revenues outpaced expenses, according to recent financial documents.    By Morgan Haefner - 12/13/18

San Francisco-based Dignity Health purchased the naming rights to Carson, Calif.-based StubHub Center, home of the LA Galaxy soccer team.  By Morgan Haefner - 12/13/18

Artificial intelligence technologies will soon replace many of today's business processes, according to a recent survey of software developers.  By Jessica Kim Cohen - 12/13/18

It is critical that hospitals and health systems routinely review their chargemaster for accuracy in its list of billable items so they receive proper reimbursement. Equally as critical is examining how the organization's clinical systems integrate with  the chargemaster, said Elaine Dunn, vice president of system integration for Craneware, a value cycle company.  By Kelly Gooch - 12/13/18

Two revenue cycle management companies — Aspirion Health Resources and HRS ERASE — are combining.  By Kelly Gooch - 12/13/18