Preparing for an At-Risk Era.

Transitioning to value-based health care is a daunting task, but boards can take steps today to help their hospitals thrive now and into the future.

Value moves to the forefront.

Accountable care is changing how boards protect their hospitals' continued viability.

Clinical care paths: a role for finance in clinical decision-making.

Care paths map the critical actions and decision points across a patient's course of medical treatment; their purpose is to guide physicians in the delivery of high-quality care while reducing care costs by avoiding services that do not contribute meaningfully to positive outcomes. Each care path development initiative should be led by a respected physician champion, whose specialty is in the area of the care episode being mapped, with the support of a clinician project manager. Once the care path has been developed and implemented, the finance leader's role begins in earnest with the tracking of financial and clinical data against care paths.

Market-based care.

Applying market dynamics to health care would bring much-needed transparency to the industry.

The bundled payment battle.

As hospitals bundle services, administrators will have to take a close look at clinical costs. Resolving conflicts with physicians will require strong leadership.

Reducing costs. New approaches to an old problem.

Current savings strategies aren't sustainable. Here are new tactics.

HDHPs: serving a demanding patient demographic.

It is important for healthcare providers to understand that patients with high-deductible health plans: Place a high value on transparency. Expect to participate in decisions about their care. Place a high value on the overall patient experience.

Align process with mission and maintain a contented workforce.

Some hospitals are holding down costs, improving patient care, and maintaining a satisfied workforce by redesigning their processes. A four-step approach can ensure systemic and permanent cost reduction that doesn't compromise patient care, demoralize staff, or increase costs in other areas: 1. Prioritize core processes.