Implementing the PPACA continues to present a major hurdle for many hospitals but its impact on their finances has alleviated somewhat, according to the Fall 2014 Economic Outlook survey from Washington, D.C.-based Premier.
The quarterly Premier study of hospitals and health systems explores economic and industry trends impacting alliance members and the industry as a whole.
Listed below are six findings from the survey:
1. Just over one third, 35.4 percent, of respondents cited reimbursement cuts, including market basket and productivity adjustments, and PPACA pay-for-performance penalties as major concerns over the next year, down from 46.7 percent one year ago.
2. A vast majority (77.5 percent) of C-suite executives have resource utilization programs in place to better control the use of expensive supplies and purchased services, allowing them to better manage reimbursement reductions.
3. Roughly 60.8 percent of C-suite executives have or have implemented clinical quality programs to help them reduce patient length of stay.
4. Although compliance with PPACA mandates remains a top driver of costs for 23.2 percent of those surveyed, it is lessening in importance, as 36.2 percent of respondents listed it as a top driver of costs in spring 2012.
5. The primary care physician shortage remains a concern for 68.3 percent of C-suite executives, with concerns being higher in the northeast/mid-Atlantic (70.4 percent) and the southeast (73.3 percent) regions.
6. Increasingly, hospitals are shifting their focus to the voluntary programs within the PPACA, with 26 percent of respondents citing new care delivery and payment models such as accountable care and bundling, up from 14.3 percent last year.