Determining Financial Viability
Accounting and finance are closely related to a certain extent in which both deal with the financial aspects of a company. Accounting and finance work together in creating “a company’s budget or working capital analysis” (Wise-Geek, 2012, p. 1). Accounting involves recording of an organizations operations of a business as well as showing the information in the outline profit and loss accounts, which demonstrates the gain or loss of the organizations throughout the year. In addition, accounting includes provisions of a balance sheet replicating the monetary positions of a business at a specific time period. It should provide clear and precise figures about the proprietary and financial condition in a
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The generation of capital will assist a facility with operating successfully, and “most financial analysts would expect an institution's revenues to exceed expenses, so as to finance increases in working capital and build funds as a cushion for a financial downturn and for renewal or expansion” (Needleman, 2003, p. 1).
In addition, the viability within a health care organization hinges on the present balance sheets and cash flow. It is important for institutions to make positive returns rather than breaking even. It is also essential for health care organizations to have several payment policies so community needs are meet as well as financing prospective improvements. Additionally, facilities must keep track of accounts receivable, annual debt service coverage, bad debt, and capital spending ratios, cash debt ratios in order to determine financial viability, these concepts are part of the accounting and financial aspects of a health care organization.
In conclusion, the relationship between accounting and finance is that both work together in the creation of a health care institutions budget and operational capital analysis. Accounting is the recording, categorizing, and summarizing of events relevant to money. Finance is relevant to the managing of funds. Accounting uses a balance sheet to determine the financial position of a facility for a specific date. In addition, the outlining of revenue and debt accounts are used to illustrate whether
Each aspect plays a role, as financial management as a whole impacts the health care organization in a significant way. An example (that ties to evidence) of a primary component is the model analysis of the insurance system that affects the health budgeting spending on a statewide level. Further elaborating, the insurance system affects the input and output of the external categorization of the practical approach for a health care organization to utilize their primary care towards patients. Thus, as a result the aspects shift according to model process. Additionally, one’s perspective plays an important role in influencing decision-making in regards to financial management for healthcare. This is because the individual plays a primary role in the performance and internal indicators of the direction of the organizational mission; thus their output affects the organization’s advancement.
Examine the financial characteristics of health care delivery along with managing costs, revenues, and human resources
The HCS 405 week 1 financial terms worksheet throws light on some of the most basic concepts of the healthcare business. Understanding health care financial terms is a prerequisite for both academic and professional success. The health care business helps the nation by providing the building blocks that the citizens need to live a successful and healthy life. The worksheet is intended to ensure that the students understand some of the basic terms used in the business world of the health care industry. The purpose of HCS 405 individual and team assignments is to make the students aware about the numerous strategies employed in the financial and other departments of a
The role of finance in Health Care Systems, Inc. as a regional not-for-profit hospital relates to both the accounting and financial management aspects of the business. Facets of both accounting and financial management are intertwined with maximizing productivity by way of managing and analyzing financial operations to ensure resources are being utilized properly (Gapensiki, 2013). The divulgence of financial reports to managers and investors will aid in the development of plans and budgets for future growth, assess acceptable levels of financial risk, manage contracts appropriately and make decisions related to capital investments allowing the organization to expand service offerings thereby demonstrating greater value in the community. Operating as a not-for-profit entity requires that the hospital operate exclusively in the interest of the public for a charitable purpose. Through understanding who the primary third party payers
While there is still much to learn about financial operation of a health organization, I feel that I have better understand of most of the fundamental principles that apply to a broad spectrum of businesses. Upon reflection this understanding of financial principles also reinforces the need to have a fundamental base of knowledge, but simultaneously services to illustrate the vast body of information that there still is to learn. The allied health community assignments were useful in a general sense, in that they allowed a student to apply some of the concepts that they have learned. This “hands on” approach was helpful because it added context to the lectures and readings. As an exercising in doing the work of an administrator, the allied health community exercises required the student to research additional information about the topics assigned and this allowed me to further mentally cement the concepts.
In Healthcare System the role of finance is an important aspect in healthcare. In the financial role of healthcare it involves handling operations such as negotiating contracts, making cash available for expenses such as payroll and cover cost for unexpected expenses. The role of finances also makes it capable for leadership to better make plans for the future, when finances are in order organizations can better equipped to make decisions such as is the organization financial able to expand test or treatments and are they able to buy new medical equipment.
This course is designed as an introduction to the terminology, processes, functions, and financial reports commonly encountered in health care operations. This course introduces the concepts of basic managerial financial functions, such as budgeting, reimbursement methods, and the responsibilities of health care financial
The major difference between healthcare finance terminology and business finance terminology is that these terms focus on factors unique to the health services industry. For example, the provision of health services is dominated by not-for-profit or¬ganizations (such as ours), which are inherently different from investor-owned businesses. Also, the majority of payments made to health¬care providers for services are not made by patients—the consumers of the services—but rather by some third-party payer (e.g., a commercial insurance company or a government program). Even the purchase of health insurance is dominated by employers rather than by the individuals who receive the services. These terms emphasize ways in which the unique features of the health services industry affect financial decisions. The healthcare industry is a service industry. It is not in the business of manufacturing, say, widgets. Instead its essential business is the delivery of healthcare services. It may have inventories of medical supplies and drugs, but those inventories are necessary to service delivery, not to manufacturing functions. Because the business of healthcare is a service, this overview of key healthcare terminology will focus on the practice of financial management in the services industry.
The major objectives of healthcare financial management include: generating income (which is the most important) because it is the financial status of the organization. It is important to ensure that revenues are exceeding expenses. After assets are invested in, they are meant to be used. They must respond to regulations and be accredited to qualify for loans, reimbursements, etc. Facilitate relationships with third-party payers because they are the ones helping with the bills. The health organizations must also influence method and amount of payment to avoid overpaying, when faced with capitated prices or prospective payments. Monitoring physicians is important because they are at the forefront of everything, so management must make sure that physicians’ orders are consistent with patient needs. Lastly, protecting tax status involves for-profit organizations trying to reduce tax liabilities, while not-for-profit organizations try to protect their tax-exempt
Understanding the financial analysis of healthcare organizations is strategic to the organization by understanding their stand on the amount of revenue they gain, healthcare assets, and their financial goals. This paper will provide a comparison on the performance of financial analysis of several California Healthcare Organizations such as; Scripps Health, Palomar Health, Sharp Healthcare, and Tri-City Healthcare. The four healthcare organizations will be illustrated with an overview about what the organizations have been doing financially , where they have been growing financially, and what have they accomplished over the past year from examining their financial statement. As the nation’s healthcare model continues to evolve,
Though they are not entirely comprehensive tools, a great deal can be learned about a hospital or other healthcare organization for-profit or not-for-profit from an examination of their annual financial documents (Finkler & Ward, 2006). The balance sheet and statement of revenue and expense can both yield valuable clues even in the absence of other evidence about changes that might be occurring in the organization, a definition of the type and degree of certain problems that it might be facing, and potential opportunities for improvement in performance that might exist (Finkler & Ward, 2006). Comparing two or more years' worth of financial information yields even more valuable insights, tracking movement in the hospital or other organization's ability to finance its activities and thus continue providing services at the same level, quantity, and scope as current operation.
financial viability. First, substandard quality and safety performance can place an institution at risk of financial liability related to preventable errors. Second, when treatment decisions are not patient-centered patients are likely to feel alienated and move care to another entity—an action that could cost an institution hundreds of thousands of dollars in reimbursement. Third, a poor reputation of corruption, whether real or perceived, threatens an institutions customer base. Lastly, if an institution does not demonstrate a caring attitude toward its patients and their families it may struggle to maintain a solid client base. Financial viability is therefore largely related to an organizations ability to meet its core values.
Healthcare managers participate in various important roles that allow them to form and maintain flourishing organizations. Managers ought to be aware of the decisive elements of management and the generally accepted accounting principles. At the same time, they must realize, stick to, and put into effect the general financial ethical standards. Successful management of finances of healthcare is one of countless tests that mug the organization. Revenues and expenses of the organization are essential because they establish the external and internal finances of the company. The
The financial statement analysis of Doctors Hospital raises hopes and concerns regarding the financial performance and financial situation of the hospital. A rise in net assets and drop in liabilities will support the financial base of the hospital. Profits from short-term I nvestments should maintain this base, and improve the total assets. There is a concern in regards to cash flow and net income. There is a large reduction in cash flow of $2,222,000, which means there might be a shortage in cash flow to continue the project or purchase capital equipment. The organization should have to find solutions like to borrow from banks, spreading payments in future, etc. to manage the shortage of cash flow (Finkler et al., 2013). Another area
Financial statements have several key components and specific criteria into them to relay the detailed information for auditors and management. A deeper look into financial statements and the many concepts surrounding them are needed to explain in more detail. It’s also important to recognize the Auditor’s opinion letter, balance sheet, operating statement, statement of changes in net assets, and statement of cash flows and footnotes of their involvement in the process. Relevant accounting articles are a useful supplement to financial statements and how they enhance concepts in the financial statement. The meaningful uses of financial statements for health care organizations are the epitome of current and future success of financial health.