Healthcare organizations are not exempt from the economic headwinds affecting many U.S. companies today. However, rural, independent and community hospitals are feeling the most pressure.
These facilities tend to serve an aging patient population that is more reliant on Medicare and Medicaid. Unfortunately, federal insurance programs often entail prolonged payment cycles for hospitals. The reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid also are lower compared with other private health insurance companies. A challenging payer mix exacerbates the financial difficulties faced by these hospitals…
