Maintaining patient accounts performance during downsizing

Patient accounts managers and chief financial officers (CFOs) are facing difficult issues during this current period of change in health care. The realities of today's lower rates of reimbursement and the uncertainties of healthcare reform have forced hospital management teams to reduce costs strategically to maintain adequate financial performance. One method often employed is "downsizing"--reducing staffing levels. Even those facilities that have not found it necessary to reduce staff through a formal layoff plan must seriously evaluate whether or not to replace employees who retire or terminate voluntarily. Patient accounts departments that have not yet been forced to downsize should be prepared for such an event; those that are currently struggling to maintain performance as a result of downsizing can improve their operations by addressing certain key areas.