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Transforming healthcare through secondary use of health data
This report, Transforming healthcare through secondary use of health data, addresses a key challenge the industry faces - leveraging the vast amount of electronic data which will result from current investments in IT to implement electronic health records. Despite these challenges, the opportunity for the industry to cut cost and improve care will drive innovation and collaboration in secondary use of data.

Diagnostics 2009: Moving towards personalized medicine
This PricewaterhouseCoopers report suggests that alternative business models with varying degrees of collaboration will emerge to provide a basis for the industry to operate more effectively as times change. It also evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative, their strengths and weaknesses and lists some key questions to make the transition to a new business successful.

Jammed access: Widening the front door to healthcare
This report from the Health Research Institute (HRI), Jammed access: Widening the front door to healthcare*, addresses how we can increase access to care without increasing costs. The report focuses on three key obstacles that adversely impact accessibility: crowded points of entry; a system that is confusing to navigate; and individuals who inevitably fail to act on their health early. Jammed access: Widening the front door to healthcare* provides solutions and recommendations for the problems facing the healthcare industry.

Behind the numbers: Medical cost trends for 2010
Medical costs are expected to increase in 2010 by 9%, which is slightly less than recent years; 9.2% in 2009 and 9.9% in 2008. However, these rates still significantly outpace real incomes and the rate of inflation. Reacting to higher medical costs as the economy recovers will require innovative approaches to deal with workers and healthcare stakeholders. This year's report addresses cost trends for the coming year, the impact the recession and promise for reform have had on the healthcare industry, and how businesses are reacting to higher medical costs.

Report on leading practices of public safety net healthcare delivery systems in the US
The public's safety net healthcare delivery system is unduly strained by financial pressures and a high and rising demand for services from a growing number of uninsured and underinsured patients in the United States. These systems support some of the neediest and sickest patients in our communities. Despite a growing need from the public, these systems continue to lose money adding financial pressures to their operational stress. Unfortunately, the current situation has strained the financial viability of some of these systems and threatens their ability to continue to serve the public.

Revenue cycle strategist
This article was written by PricewaterhouseCoopers' partner, John Dugan, and published in May 2009 for Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). The article is regarding the Medicare recovery audit contractor (RAC) program and discusses the potential risks and opportunities available to providers. Early experience with RAC compliance has shown that preparing for a recovery audit represents not only a revenue risk but also an opportunity to improve the provider’s operational health and be part of a larger revenue cycle improvement strategy.

Doing more with less: How can healthcare providers cut IT costs in today's economic climate?
Many healthcare providers have responded to the economic downturn by cutting expenses. However, the Obama administration is pushing healthcare providers to invest more resources to implement electronic health records (EHRs). This situation presents a unique opportunity born out of necessity to simplify and standardize the massive patchwork of IT functions. Organizations that focus on the long-term transformation of their IT infrastructure will likely thrive after the current economic downturn passes. Providers that meet the stimulus bill's directive for EHR adoption will be better positioned in an industry targeted for massive IT growth. These organizations will not only be rewarded with significant short-term benefits, but also will possess the foundation for long-term, sustainable IT cost reduction.

The impact of lifetime limits
PricewaterhouseCoopers worked with the National Hemophilia Foundation on behalf of a coalition of advocacy organizations representing individual chronic diseases and disorders to conduct a study of lifetime limits under employer-sponsored medical plans. Specifically, the study examines the prevalence of lifetime limits, the number of people affected by them, and the costs of increasing, or removing, lifetime limits from health plans. The findings are based on public data, surveys of major insurers, and PwC actuarial modeling.

Medical identity theft and data mismanagement
The PricewaterhouseCoopers' brochure includes key drivers and facts regarding the protection of sensitive information to avoid medical identity theft and data mismanagement. Data losses can be devastating - besides potential fines and lawsuits, security breaches can have long-term impact on your organization's brand and reputation.

Emerging issues: Summary of emerging accounting, tax and regulatory issues in 2009
PricewaterhouseCoopers is pleased to share this year’s edition of our Summary of Emerging Issues. The accounting, financial reporting, tax and regulatory compliance issues described in this summary have been specifically tailored to concentrate on areas of interest for not-for-profit organizations and governmental business-type activities (BTAs). The publications summary has been divided into six areas: FASB, AICPA, GASB, Other Accounting Issues, Regulatory, and Tax.

Rock and a hard place: An analysis of the src6 billion impact from health IT stimulus funding

Rock and a hard place: An analysis of the $36 billion impact from health IT stimulus funding
By injecting $36 billion in health IT through the stimulus fund, the federal government hopes to create a digital healthcare infrastructure that reduces costs and improves quality. Hospitals and physicians that want the stimulus money will find they have little choice but to comply with the new requirements or suffer future shortfalls in Medicare reimbursement.

10 things you need to know now: How to respond to the new privacy and security provisions of the stimulus bill
Hospitals throughout the U.S. have been forced to reduce their IT budget due to the current economic climate. However, with new mandates from the federal government and new privacy and security issues, hospitals are challenged to do more with less. Organizations that simply address the new HITECH provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), without consideration of the many new privacy and security rules and regulations, risk creating a patchwork of privacy and security processes and controls that will be less effective and unnecessarily expensive to build and maintain.

March 11th webcast: Health reform on the fast track
David Levy, Global Healthcare Sector Leader was joined by subject matter experts from PricewaterhouseCoopers on March 11, 2009 to discuss the impact the Obama stimulus package and the $630 billion reserve will have on the health industries. In addition, the webcast addressed the potential implications of these reforms as well as the positive and negative consequences for pharmaceutical firms, health insurers (payers), hospitals (providers) and employers.

10Minutes on health reform under Obama
160 million Americans receive their health insurance benefits through their employer. However, in the coming year many employers could face major changes as the Obama administration attempts to reform the system. The reforms could curb the rising cost of healthcare purchased by government and private employers by introducing new programs and regulations. Controlling costs would benefit private employers, which on average pay 80% of the cost of worker health benefits and may also be saddled with large retiree health benefit liabilities.

Workplace Wellness
The Workplace Wellness special report appeared in Managed Healthcare Executive's February 2009 publication. The report addresses how MCOs need to take the initiative as employers to commit to wellness programs and the benefits that some MCOs have derived from putting these programs into practice.

A look at the redesigned Form 990 and new schedule H
"The IRS's Version of Community Benefit: A Look at the Redesigned Form 990 and new schedule H" was a feature story in the February 2009 issue of Healthcare Financial Management magazine. PricewaterhouseCoopers, Travis L. Patton, CPA, Tax Director for the Washington National Tax Service office provides an insightful review of the redesigned Form 990, new schedule H, and the implications for hospitals.

Strong medicine required
The 2009 Winter Issue of View, a PwC business magazine, includes a new piece of thought leadership entitled, Strong medicine required. The report explores how the combined impact of a slowing economy, increasing healthcare costs and a new administration in Washington D.C. will impact a business’s bottom line in the coming year and beyond. The report also looks at how businesses can effectively balance these costs with the need to attract and retain a productive workforce.

Top nine health industry issues in 2009
In 2009, external forces will compel health industry organizations to react to new financial realities, regulations, and technology. Chief among those forces will be the effects of the economic crisis, a new president and Congress, and financial and technology companies looking to extend their reach into the health industry. PricewaterhouseCoopers' report from the Health Research Institute (HRI) identifies nine significant issues that will shape the health industry in 2009. To find out more about these nine issues and their implications read, Top nine health industry issues in 2009.

Proposals to policy: A national conversation on healthcare reform
Susan Dentzer, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs and health correspondent of The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, moderated a panel of healthcare experts, economists and lawmakers as they discussed President Obama's health care reform proposals. This broadcast was recorded from the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. on November 20, 2008.

Healthcare policy in an Obama administration: Delivering on the promise of universal coverage
President Barack Obama has pledged to implement multiple changes in our health care system with the goal to increase access and affordability of health care in the United States. This report recognizes the difficulty in developing such reforms in light of current market conditions, the implications reforms could have and provides five suggestions to make health care more affordable. To find out more about how the President proposes to implement changes to the existing health care system and the possible impact of such reforms read, Healthcare policy in an Obama administration: Delivering on the promise of universal coverage.

What employers want from health insurers – now
Studies show that most employers are satisfied with their health benefits and want to continue providing these benefits to their employees. However, employers' expectations of their health insurers are changing, and while many studies in the past have examined the relationship between employees and their employer-sponsored benefits, less is known about employers and what they want from insurance carriers. To find out more about the evolving attitudes US employers have regarding health insurers read, What employers want from health insurers – now.

Fair value option considerations: A guide for not-for-profit organizations
PricewaterhouseCoopers is pleased to bring you Fair value option considerations: A guide for not-for-profit organizations. Issued in February 2007, FASB Statement No. 159 (FAS 159), The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, expands the ability to select fair value as the basis of measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities, referred to as the fair value option (FVO). This guide looks at accounts typically found in the financial statements of not-for-profits organizations (including healthcare, higher education and other not-for-profits) and discusses some of the pros and cons of making FVO elections under FAS 159.See more

Impact of FAS 157 on contribution accounting: A guide for not-for-profit organizations
PricewaterhouseCoopers is pleased to bring you Impact of FAS 157 on contribution accounting: A guide for not-for-profit organizations. FASB Statement No. 157 (FAS 157), Fair Value Measurements, is a broad principle-based standard that provides a consistent model for determining fair value measures. Using a case study format, this guide provides a high-level overview of the FAS 157 framework and then explores how FAS 157 could be applied by not-for-profit organizations (including healthcare, higher education and other not-for-profits) to contribution-related fair value measurements. See more

Delivering practical improvement with our clients: Organizations can control print and mail spending while minimizing risks
Health plans, property and casualty insurers, and financial services companies spend a significant percentage of their operating budgets for print services. Printing and mailing bills, marketing messages, and claims information to clients or members is an essential business function for these companies. Effectively managing print services benefits large, complex organizations by reducing both the costs and the risks associated with printed communications. See more

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