Just Got Word

tPF, a New York-based operations and management consulting firm specializing in health care organizations, has just launched its website -- tpfnow.com.  "This is a working, living, document, so we anticipate adding content to this website every 2-3 weeks," explains David Fitzsimons, Leader of thePiecesFit.  Richard Radoccia, Ph.D, a key member of the tPF team, is finishing up a white paper on ACOs that will soon be added to the site.  More web content in the works includes case studies of recent client engagements, which other tPF members are compiling as we speak.  The Director of Marketing at tPF, Annette Racond adds: "we want this to be a compelling site, not just a portfolio repository."  This will be achieved to some extent by ultimately positioning the site as an information gathering tool under the leadership of George Manderlink, Ph.D, Director of Research at tPF.  George explains: "we want to make tpfnow.com the "go to" site for health care a...

tPF attended the above on March 7, 2011 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.  This annual event -- this was the 7th edition -- is an opportunity for health care, benefits and compensation professionals to convene and evaluate new health care practices and pending legislation.  Most of the attendees were HR and benefits administrators from large organizations in the New York metropolitan area. In addition to touring the exhibit halls and hearing what the vendors had to say, tPF had the opportunity to sit in on two general sessions presented by Patrick Kennedy (former Rhode Island Congressman) and David Tinkelman (MD/wellness expert at National Jewish Health, Denver, CO). Kennedy:  Loyal to the clan, his entire focus was on the CLASS act, one of the legacies of his dad, the late Ted Kennedy.  CLASS, a specific provision of the PPACA, offers caregivers and care recipients an alternative to the traditional long-term care insurance products that have cluttered th...

So that we continue to be well-versed in all client issues vis a vis changes in the health care landscape, tPF will be attending the 7th Annual New York Health Care Conference, which will showcase emerging health care benefits and health care technology. The conference is being held at the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC on March 7, 2011. The keynote speaker will be Patrick Kennedy, former U.S. Congressman from Rhode Island, who will talk about US health care reform and mental health. In addition, we are looking forward to learning about the 2010 Mercer Survey of Employer-sponsored Health Plans, which will explore what employers are doing on both Health Management and Health Care Reform in 2011. Stay tuned for a tPF report on the New York Health Care Conference.

In 2008, New York City hospitals spent $3 billion more on care than they took in. And, they operated at an average of a 6% loss versus the national average of operating at a 4% profit. One of the little discussed consequences of federal health reform and its related significant reductions in Medicare reimbursement will be the absence of any margin that can be used for capital investment. Speakers included: - Dr. Ralph de la Torre, President & CEO, Caritas Christi Health Care (recent name change to Steward Health Care)-- not a big fan of pharma companies; quite proud of himself for his work in Massachusetts, which has become, by default, the pilot for the National 'universal care' model advanced through the Health Care Reform Act. - Stephen Berger, Chairman, Odyssey Investment Partners and Chairman, Commission on Healthcare Facilities in the 21st Century -- made a bunch of recommendations to the governor about 5 years ago as to which hospitals should be closed and whic...

tPF continues to monitor advances in technology in the US health care delivery system. In fact, Rich Linderman of tPF is currently attending the 11th annual HIMSS (Health Information and Management Systems Society) meeting in Orlando, Florida. Attended by 28,000 health care professionals, this program tracks new and growing areas in health care information technology that could bring the greatest value to the overall health care community. "HIMSS11" offers learning and networking opportunities in the most high-growth or high-demand sectors. In addition, the exhibit floor is showcasing innovative products and service solutions in the health care industry. We look forward to receiving information about the conference from Rich, and, more importantly, sharing cutting-edge technology information with our growing client base.

To remain at the cutting edge, you have to be fully aware of current situations and emerging trends. tPF remains committed to understanding/rectifying the issue of health care delivery in the US; accordingly, we will be attending the "New York City Health Care Crisis" at the Harvard Club on February 22, 2011. Sponsored by Deloitte, Proskauer, Kramer Levin, Biopharm Insights and the Executive Council, the following questions will be asked (and hopefully answered): - What is driving the crisis? - Are hospitals really on the edge? - What can be done to stem the crisis? - What are best practices that can be created? - How do insurers pay differently so those that do better are able to be successful? - Are payers doing enough to change the way we pay? - Should patients have freedom of choice to go wherever they want? - Should they be limited? - As care changes, do we need as many hospitals? Stay tuned for timely information.

We're conducting extensive research into the effective use of ACOs (Accountable Care Organizations)and have come away with some key conclusions: -- BE PART OF THE SOLUTION: ACOs, available in 2012, are presented as a solution to the mounting cost of Medicare and Medicaid; the US government is attempting to stem to rising tide of such outlays. -- A BALANCING ACT: ACOs are in effect a new way of organizing patient care around set populations ("beneficiaries") who theoretically will receive more community-based, integrated care under the reward provisions of the program (which are allegedly invisible to the beneficiaries). But the rewards won't be paid unless monetary targets are met, so this whole delicate balancing act of quality performance and patient care cutbacks will play out under a new scenario. -- BE IN IT TO WIN IT: For a hospital or physician group, sitting on the sidelines is not a viable option as patient populations will migrate with primary care...