1. Is this the end for hospital charity care?
With subsidized health plans available and Medicaid expanding in 26 states, some hospitals are scaling back their charity care programs.
2. 8 hospitals receive downgrades in past month
Eight hospitals and health systems received a credit downgrade during the past month, according to a report from HFA Partners.
3. Moody’s: Cleveland Clinic will issue first century bond in nonprofit healthcare
Cleveland Clinic Health System will become one of the few systems in the U.S. municipal market, and the only nonprofit health system, to issue century bonds, according to Moody’s Investors Service.
4. CMS provides details on offer to clear Medicare claims backlog: 10 things to know
CMS held a conference call on Sept. 9 to provide more details on its previously announced offer to pay hospitals 68 percent of the net payable amount for short-term inpatient stays, in an effort to help clear the backlog of Medicare appeals. Here are 10 things to know about CMS’ offer.
5. Healthcare spending around the world: 18 statistics
Health Affairs published an analysis last week of eight countries with various types of healthcare systems that revealed the U.S. has the highest hospital administrative costs, at 25.3 percent of total hospital spending. The study also contained data on total healthcare spending in 2011. These 18 statistics show how the various nations compare.
More articles on hospital finance:
UPMC to issue $400M in bonds to fund ongoing projects
Moody’s affirms Alexian Brothers Health System’s ‘A2’ rating, outlook stable
Carolinas HealthCare aims to trim 2015 budget by $110M
