Countdown to 2014
When President Obama signed PPACA into law three years ago, 2014 was a country mile down the road. Just months from now, open enrollment for plans participating in the health exchanges will begin, and the expansion of coverage is nigh—though questions persist. Will a potential 30 million new health care customers result in lower or higher premiums? Can providers achieve the efficiencies necessary to operate on reduced reimbursements—and hit quality benchmarks? Will the uninsured participate in anywhere near the numbers expected?
In this issue of HealthCXO, we explore UPMC’s telehealth strategy, a key plank in that organization’s value platform. What is the greatest challenge? It’s not technology or patients, but provider cultural change, says Andrew Watson, MD. Will the expansion of coverage relieve your losses in the emergency department? Don’t bet on it, says Gerilynn Sevenikar. She shares how Sharp Healthcare turned a $3.4 million uninsured care loss into $7.76 million gain by helping patients get coverage at intake.
In a Q & A with HFMA’s Richard Gundling, we explore the key financial issues of 2013 and what it will take to succeed in the drive to value. Yes, you are likely to have to buy some things you now don’t have and acquire some new partners to help you get there. No one, however, will arrive without strong leadership capable of generating the cultural changes necessary for rapid delivery on that value proposition to patients and payors.
It’s a tall order, but if you don’t do it, who will?
Cheryl Provalcproval@healthcxo.com
Cheryl Proval,
Vice President, Executive Editor, Radiology Business
Cheryl began her career in journalism when Wite-Out was a relatively new technology. During the past 16 years, she has covered radiology and followed developments in healthcare policy. She holds a BA in History from the University of Delaware and likes nothing better than a good story, well told.