A 5-Point Strategy for Providers

As nearly 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day, the strain on America’s healthcare services will continue to grow. An increasing number of age-related ailments will require treatment in our hospitals, and as boomers retire there will be a widening of the gap in nurse and primary care staffing.

Additionally, as more baby boomers become eligible for Medicare, and as the regulations within health reform sweep in, reimbursement rates will continue to decline and the pressure on providers to do more with less will intensify. These issues are creating a perfect storm for hospitals and healthcare facilities, with many wondering how they will be able to successfully face all of these challenges at once.

Administrators, doctors and other healthcare professionals understand that an increasingly aging population may be signaling that the future of healthcare will be more complex and more challenging than ever. However, there are several considerations that can help ensure this perfect storm won’t be disastrous.

Shifting Focus on Outpatient Care. The millions of new patients on Medicare is a major demographic change incomparable to any shift in the past 100 years. Moreover, because of the needs of aging Americans, the traditional inpatient model will not function as it has for the past few decades. While baby boomers will still need inpatient treatment for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and cancer, they will also require more care in an outpatient setting to treat conditions such as arthritis and common aches and pains due to aging. Hospitals will need to transform their business models so they can provide various outpatient care programs, as will other facilities that offer convenient access.

New Sources of Competition Will Require New Thinking. Walgreens, Walmart and other companies now offer convenient care clinics and other options that are attractive as alternatives to emergency departments and primary care providers. Administrators will need to respond in order to meet the changing needs and expectations of the aging population.

But merely setting up clinics or immediate care facilities won’t guarantee a steady stream of patients. It’s important to determine why patients would select particular clinics or facilities over an alternative. What differentiates your facility? Whether it’s a convenient location, special incentive or unique service, you can leverage this differentiation to bring in patients.

Put Yourself in Your Patient’s Shoes. Try to think like your prospective patient – what are their priorities in the healthcare process? Often, speed and simplicity rule. In the mind of a patient, this is one measure of optimal care. To ensure you are creating a superior experience for all patients, trace every step in the patient’s experience – from the time they enter your facility to the time they leave – and determine what can be improved.

IT Is an Asset. Healthcare reform and other regulations are placing a greater emphasis on technology. In addition to complying with meaningful use, technology can improve the entire patient treatment process. Scheduling appointments, tracking patient records and distributing prescriptions can all become more efficient and more effective with the use of technology. But it will be important to first evaluate any technology to see how it will impact your processes and the staff who work within them. Technology can be a key enabler to thriving in the coming storm, but a little work upfront will ensure your organization gets the benefits it expects.

Simplify Your Revenue Cycle. Reimbursement procedures are becoming more complex and it appears they will become even more challenging in the future. Even more so, being able to navigate the reimbursement process effectively will be critical to ensure that providers don’t face payment penalties or delays. Reevaluate claims processing procedures to ensure they are efficient and meet newly emerging regulations.

As the baby boomers continue to transform the face of America and its healthcare system, hospitals and healthcare providers will need to provide superior patient care while remaining financially stable. A fresh approach to business, combined with a focus on technology and patient care, can provide a good base to meet the challenges ahead.

 

Ron Wince is the President and CEO of Guidon Performance Solutions. Web: www.guidonps.com