2002 HFM editorial calender

Healthcare Financial Management, Dec, 2001

January

Information Systems

Increasing sophistication of information systems for clinical and business applications allows healthcare organizations to improve patient care and customer service. This issue will review aspects of new developments in information systems, including tax implications of Internet use, and speculate on their costs and benefits.

Bonus Distribution at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) convention, January 27-31, Atlanta, Georgia

February

HIPAA

Continued implementation of the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 poses major challenges to healthcare providers and their business partners. February's issue will give a progress report on HIPAA implementation.

March

Compliance

Compliance with Federal and state regulations continues to be a major concern for healthcare financial managers. This issue will consider the state of healthcare compliance efforts and the people in charge of them, and review new or proposed regulations that may affect corporate compliance programs.

April

Managed Care

Managed care remains a dominant force in healthcare delivery and payment. Articles in this issue will discuss the state of the art in managed care and discuss strategies to help healthcare financial managers achieve success in managed care contracting.

May

Risk Management

Patient safety has taken center stage on the risk-management front. Features in this issue will explore the financial implications of patient safety, as well as other liabilities healthcare financial managers need to manage effectively

June

Human Resources

Worker shortages are affecting many areas of provider operations, from nursing units to business offices. This issue will address worker recruitment and retention strategies. Innovative staffing options also may be explored.

Bonus Distribution at HFMA's Annual National Institute, June 16-20, Seattle, Washington

July

Medicare/Medicaid

Because Medicare and Medicaid comprise a major source of payment for most healthcare facilities, preparation for new payment systems and rates is vital to financial viability. This issue will examine Federal Medicare/Medicaid mandates and help healthcare financial managers understand and cope with new regulations and payment systems.

August

Cost Management

Controlling costs is an ongoing management challenge, and one that is more important than ever. The cover feature of this issue will offer practical approaches to cost management and show what is working and what is not.

September

Patient Financial Services

The patient financial services (PFS) department has evolved from a narrow billing-and-collections focus to encompass customer service from preregistration to postdischarge. The September issue will focus on the expanded role of PFS professionals and the new skill sets they need.

October

Strategic Planning

CFOs have assumed greater strategic leadership in healthcare organizations. Articles in this issue will help them hone their strategic-planning skills and provide them with more tools to lead their organizations to financial success.

November

Capital Allocation and Budgeting

For many healthcare organizations, effective budgeting and capital allocation is crucial to strategic planning and program implementation. Features in this issue will discuss basic and innovative methods of capital allocation and budgeting to increase financial security.

December

Revenue Cycle

The revenue has been influenced and changed by new regulations, payment methods, and technologies. Some of the forces affecting the revenue cycle will be analyzed in this issue.