• Press
• Publications
• Events
• MA Capital
• Surveys          

Solid Advantages

Publications

• Services
• Industries
• About Us
• Careers
• Contact Us

SEARCH

text size: A A A

Home > Publications > Health Care > Articles

Health Care

Articles

Skagit Valley Hospital to Buy Big Physicians Group; in Major Shift, Doctors are Joining with Hospitals (Puget Sound Business Journal, June 25, 2010)

Chris Rivard, Partner and Health Care Industry Chair, is quoted in this article as he shares his insight on trends in physician and hospital alignment.

 

Deciphering New Health Care Reform (Recordnet.com, June 12, 2010)

Chris Bell, Manager, California Central Valley office, discusses the comprehensive health reform—the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act—in this article.

 

Consolidation in Health Care is a Case of Déjá Vu All Over Again by Chris Rivard, Partner and Health Care Group Chair (Seattle Business Monthly, June 2010; used with permission)

Chris discusses the historical trend of health care facilities employing physicians and acquiring medical practices. In the early to mid-1990s, managed care was the theme of the day and the employment of physicians by hospitals was in vogue. But hospitals and health systems rapidly discovered that managing a medical group was significantly different from managing an acute care facility, leading to many facilities either divesting themselves of these practices or freezing these initiatives. By 2005, the number of hospital-owned practices was 26% of the total.

Fast forward three years and that number has jumped back up to nearly 50%. A variety of factors during the past several years has again led health care facilities to employ physicians and acquire medical practices. Leading factors are increased regulations, rising costs, human resource issues, administrative burdens, and generational differences among physicians, among others.  

The consolidation phenomenon and today’s health care environment clearly present a multitude of challenges. And, in order to survive, providers and hospitals alike will be forced to find creative ways to remain viable and relevant. There is no doubt that adapting appropriately will result in a landscape much different from that of the past.

 

Clear Communication will Spur Business Growth by Shannon Affholter (Snohomish County Business Journal, May 27, 2010; used with permission)

 

Exit Strategies for Physician Groups by Dan Gaffney, Partner, Wealth Services Group (California Healthcare News, May 2010; used with permission)

 

The Role of Healthcare Reform on the 2010 Financial Markets by Luc Arsenault, Partner, and Chris Pritchard, Partner, Moss Adams LLP (California Healthcare News, March 2010; used with permission)

In 2009, when healthcare reform became a legislative priority in Washington, D.C., the healthcare mergers and acquisitions market came to a halt. Over the course of last year, as healthcare took on greater shape in the public sector, the uncertainty in the capital markets decreased and there was a renewal of healthcare M&A activity.

Looking ahead, 2010 offers a tremendous amount of opportunity for a variety of healthcare transactions. The next twelve months could easily make up for the stop-and-start nature of last year's market.

Recapitalization in the Healthcare Industry: We've Only Just Begun by Wiley Kitchell, Managing Director, Moss Adams Capital LLC (Washington Healthcare News, September 2009; reprinted with permission)

The extraordinary impact of the ongoing national economic crisis has profoundly affected most sectors of the healthcare industry. The financing landscape has shifted and limited access to capital threatens the quality of care. Prior to the middle of 2007, capital was readily abundant. During the past 18 months, many healthcare facilities encountered tightening credit and restricted access to capital.

When facing the decision of refinancing or recapitalizing, it is critical to identify all available alternatives and to then clearly analyze each option. In the shifting landscape, nontraditional sources of capital will emerge and, in many cases, may offer strategic advantages to the professionals who are first to embrace the new sources. Plan Ahead. Be Prepared.

Ready? or Not? A First Look at Washington Hospital Succession Practices by Cathy Gibson, Principal and Practice Leader, Human Capital Consulting (Washington Healthcare News, August 2009; reprinted with permission)

The Good News: Succession planning in Washington is considered a priority by two thirds of the CEOs, Board members and strategic HR Executives responding to the recently concluded Moss Adams/Washington State Hospital Association Succession Readiness Survey.

The Bad News: Many hospitals fall short when it comes to a documented succession plan. Of all survey respondents, less than half acknowledged having a documented succession plan in place.

The Risks and Rewards of Healthcare Facility Construction by Sharon Hartzel and Shirley Komoto, Senior Managers, Business Risk Management and Control Solutions Group (Washington Healthcare News, July 2009; reprinted with permission)

The healthcare industry has spent about $150 billion on facility construction over the past five years, and spending will continue even in this tough economy. The challenge of today’s tight money has a silver lining—the market is more competitive, and prices of construction labor, materials, and supplies are starting to come down. The key to effectively moving forward with facility construction is to scrupulously identify and aggressively manage your construction risks.

Personal Health Information: Compliance and Security by Chris Kradjan, Partner, Moss Adams Information Technology Auditing and Consulting Group (Washington Healthcare News, May 2009; reprinted with permission)

Estimates indicate that close to one in five hospitals have experienced an information breach in the past six months, and surveys suggest that one in 23 individuals have been the victim of identity theft. Compromised personal health information (PHI) is indeed a real risk, and thanks to increased public scrutiny and media attention––as well as direct legal, monetary, and reputational implications––PHI compliance and security often top the list of IT projects for health care organizations.

 

Balancing Labor Costs with Quality Care by Michael Bernstein, Director of Hospital Operations, Moss Adams Health Care Group (Health Management Technology, January 2007, reprinted with permission of Nelson Publishing, Inc.)

Balancing labor costs with quality care is even more important in 2009's economic environment. In January 2007, Michael Bernstein, now Moss Adams' Director of Hospital Operations, wrote this article as the CFO of a major health care provider. Learn why improving productivity, managing workforce performance, and reducing labor costs are still critical to delivering high-quality patient care.

 

A Perfect Charge Description Master Isn't Enough by Rob Smull, Senior Manager, Moss Adams Health Care Consulting (Washington Healthcare News, March 2009, reprinted with permission)

What happens when you cross a perfect Charge Description Master (CDM) with imperfect charging processes in your clinical departments? You lose money. Often lots of it. What’s the solution? The best way to address this challenge is to integrate outpatient charge captures reviews with the CDM management function.

 

Personal Financial Planning: Not Just for the Rich by Lars Landrie, CFP, Partner and Investment Advisor, Moss Adams Wealth Advisors (Washington Healthcare News, February 2009; reprinted with permission)

Do you picture yourself putting your children through college, creating a trust to protect your family, and being able to retire on a schedule that allows you to enjoy your retirement? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached. Are you prepared?

©2010 Moss Adams LLP

• Services
• Industries
• About Us
• Careers
• Contact Us
• Press
• Publications
• Privacy
• Disclaimers
• Site Map