The next big thing: health care when the patient pays

With consumer-directed health plans growing in popularity, healthcare organizations should be planning: How to respond to demands for point-of-service payment. How to address competition posed by convenient care centers with attractive pricing advantages. How to offer convenient, high-quality, competitively priced care for those who have a choice.

Critical access hospitals enter a new era of capital finance

One day this month, with the grand opening of Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte, Colo., the healthcare industry will have cause to celebrate the completion of the first critical access hospital (CAH) financed with bonds enhanced by HUD FHA-242 mortgage insurance (average interest rate: 5.45%; rating: AA/Aa/AA).

Positioning hospitals for improved access to capital

Hospitals need to actively position themselves in the next 18 to 24 months to ensure continued access to financing. Hospitals need to shift their focus from investment income to operations. Hospitals should recognize the importance of balance-sheet liquidity to institutional investors. Not-for-profit hospitals should focus on both sides of the balance sheet. Healthcare executives need to develop effective leadership and investor-relations skills.