Controlling Medical Costs: Perspectives From Financial And Nurse Executives

Abstract

The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is an issue of continuing concern for those who manage the economics of healthcare. Increasingly, as the system continues to undergo responsive changes in structure and processes, healthcare financial managers (HCFM) and Nurse Executives (NE) have emerged as an important part of healthcare reform. The purpose of this study is to compare the extent HCFMs and NEs believe various healthcare reform measures and cost containment strategies are effective. Eighty-four HCFMs, and 99 NEs from 36 states, comprised the sample for this study. Both groups agree that the majority of healthcare reform measures are moderately or very effective.  In general, accounting practices that HCFMs and NEs have direct decision making authority over were deemed effective (i.e. accounting systems that reduce administrative costs). Three strategies not considered effective by both groups were restriction of coverage for various drug therapies, accounting systems that provide more accurate allocation of indirect/overhead cost; and increased physician accountability for cost containment. When comparing accounting systems, expense tracking, and cost shifting strategies, HCFMs were significantly more likely to rate cost shifting as effective than NEs. Acknowledging that HCFMs and NEs believe that accounting systems are  responsive to healthcare reforms validates and contributes to the ongoing efforts of HCFMs and NEs to continue to use their expertise to maximize revenues, and minimize costs in order to provide competitive, caring patient care.