The belief that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is so well ingrained that it makes it easy to think we can solve our healthcare cost crisis the easy way, by increasing spending in one area to bring down costs in another. MORE

Upgrading or replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is one of the most cited energy improvements hospital executives are implementing, 37% according to a Health Facilities Management 2011 survey. MORE

A decay in access to medical services for American adults could continue even if President Obama is re-elected in November, according to a recent Health Affairs study. MORE

To be honest, I think we're beyond arguing the merits of ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation. It's inevitable. MORE

Once upon a time going into medicine was one of the most sought after career paths, and for good reason. High income, lots of autonomy, little accountability, and plenty of respect were a lot to add to the opportunity to help people. MORE

An operating room (OR) that has medical imaging, catheter-based interventions and surgery may sound far fetched as these disciplines have traditionally been in separate spaces, but as hospitals are discovering new and more efficient methods and technologies of delivering patient care, they are bringing these processes together. MORE

The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 3.4 million people in the individual market will receive $426 million in consumer rebates because of the Affordable Care Act's new MLR rules. MORE

Under the Affordable Care Act, health plans have to issue rebates to policyholders if they don’t spend at least 80 or 85 percent of premiums on medical costs. Now that the law is in effect, about $1.3 billion is to be paid out. MORE

How can hospitals promote efficiency and high-quality results? Look at a Lean approach when designing a new hospital or redesigning an existing one. MORE

Healthcare providers probably will want to outsource their ICD-10 training to Goldilocks. MORE

President Obama has outlined a plan to do away with Medicare completely, according to Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) who appeared on NBC's Meet the Press on April 15. Bachmann didn't back up the claim with specifics, but in previous statements she has claimed to have heard Obama mutter under his breath on this subject at an off-the-record White House meeting. MORE

With the second anniversary of health reform upon us, we're beginning to hear plenty of perspective from the “usual suspects” – doctors, patients, insurers, hospital CEOs – about the changes they’re seeing so far and what they expect to be the biggest, most significant elements of reform as the implementation dates draw closer. MORE

As the dynamics of healthcare continue evolving, all parties involved from hospitals, to investors, to practitioners, will be better positioned to survive if they understand the trends taking place. MORE

Dual coding made a brief appearance Monday at American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA) 2012 ICD-10 Summit. MORE

According to Harvard Law professor Einer Elhauge, in 1790 the first Congress, which included 20 framers of the Constitution, passed a law mandating that shipowners purchase medical insurance for their seamen. MORE

What are some of the biggest factors impacting the medical real estate market in 2012? MORE

We all know that copayments should be collected at time of service. In fact, a pattern of waived co-payments can be considered fraud. MORE

Older people are much more likely to vote. So it’s really no wonder that spending priorities in this country are biased toward the old, or that the biggest – and completely unfunded – spending boost for the old in the form of the Medicare Part D drug benefit occurred under the notionally conservative George W. Bush and a Republican Congress. MORE

The U.S. Supreme Court has completed three days of hearing oral arguments as part of the judicial process of determining the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. With all of the controversy and media frenzy it might benefit all of us to step back and put this entire issue in some sort of perspective. MORE

Hospitals and systems are at more financial risk than ever for care costs and quality due to the Affordable Care Act. MORE