The healthcare industry is facing ongoing shortages in various sectors in 2023, with staffing being the primary concern. A survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) in September 2022 showed that 58% of the 673 medical practices surveyed listed staffing as their top concern, 35 percentage points higher than the second-ranked concern, expenses. The shortage is impacting the speed and cost of collecting payments from patients, with nearly half of the respondents reporting a severe shortage in their revenue cycle management (RCM) or billing department. As a result, 50% of hospitals and medical groups have open and unfilled RCM positions.
How a CFO of a major health system determined the ongoing staffing challenge:
Healthcare CFOs are facing new requirements and challenges, including delays in payroll obligations, as seen at Healthmark Regional Center in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Automation plays an important role in eliminating staffing problems, as it can help automate repetitive and mundane tasks, freeing up remaining staff to focus on more complex assignments and improve the patient experience. CFOs need to evaluate the RCM operations staff's progress by examining insurance payments, patient payment aging, and medical billing employee productivity. To positively impact the budget, CFOs need to find cost-efficient and high-quality solutions that provide a holistic approach, eliminating the need for multiple RCM service providers.
How can CFOs address staffing challenges:
Hospitals and medical practices have been facing staff shortages, a trend confirmed by a survey from MGMA, which found that 40% of these organizations have experienced this problem. The medical staff, particularly RCM staff, are crucial to the success of a physician's practice. It's essential to take care of these employees by preventing burnout and promoting mental well-being. Providing adequate time for personal and family life can foster a sense of belonging and enhance overall job satisfaction. Below are some strategies to manage staffing issues.
Ways to Address Staff Shortages in Healthcare:
- Raise compensation: Attract and retain staff by increasing their pay.
- Utilize contract staff: Hire traveling nurses to help with staffing needs.
- Cross-training employees: Multitasking staff can help cover absences during shortages.
- Outsourcing administrative tasks: Partnering with a reputable company can relieve the workload during staff shortages.
- Embrace telehealth: Provide virtual services to save time and reduce the need for in-person visits.
Healthcare staffing shortages are a persistent challenge in the industry. To overcome this, it's essential to find an RCM partner that understands both RCM operations and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) capabilities. Hiring new staff and going through the training and evaluation process can be costly and time-consuming, especially for medical practices with limited in-house staff.
BillingParadise offers a solution to these staffing challenges with its co-managed RCM operations and RPA expertise. If your medical practice is facing high patient volumes and requires additional support, our team can provide temporary staffing to meet your needs. Our remote teams can work directly with your RCM managers to ensure smooth and efficient operations. If you have questions or need more information, don't hesitate to reach out to our experts.
In 2023, the healthcare industry will face persistent shortages in a variety of sectors, with staffing being the key worry. According to a survey done by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) in September 2022, 58% of the 673 medical practises surveyed identified staffing as their main priority, 35 percentage points higher than expenses. With nearly half of respondents reporting a significant shortfall in their revenue cycle management (RCM) or billing department, the lack is affecting the pace and expense of collecting payments from patients. As a result, RCM posts are open and unfilled in 50% of hospitals and medical groups.
To know more checkout blog…https://bit.ly/3Xpllo9