An Unconventional Business Model
The business of healthcare is unlike any other business. The primary objective of a health system is to provide best in class services, rather than to maximize profits. Most people would agree that this is a good thing. It’s also a rare thing in the competitive world of business. The admirable commitment to “patients before profits” puts every health system’s cash flow at constant risk. A health system has more control when it comes to providing services, but relatively little control over collecting payments for these services. Inefficiencies in collection processes and missed charges result in significant lower revenues and directly impact the bottom line.