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M ETROHEALTH HAS RECEIVED r e c o g n i t i o n f r o m t h e H e a l t h c a r e F i n a n c i a l Management Association (HFMA) as the first Adopter in the nation of HFMA's Patient Financial Communications Best Practices. Over the past year, MetroHealth has implemented a single patient statement combining both physician and hospital services. This statement was created with the help of a patient focus group. MetroHealth also created an online interactive tool to promote education and understanding of the new statement. In addition, MetroHealth's website also offers a glossary to help patients understand billing and payment terms. HFMA reviewers lauded MetroHealth for prominently displaying information about its financial assistance program on its website. "This is a huge step toward achieving our vision of becoming the most admired public health system in the nation," Chief Financial Officer Craig Richmond says. "We are very focused on providing a positive patient experience, and early and open communication with our patients about their financial situation is an absolute must. Through financial education and transparency, we can make a difference in the life of every patient we serve." HFMA's best practices were developed to improve communication between health care professionals and patients at a time when patients are paying a greater proportion of their health care costs out of their own pockets. The practices were developed by a task force that included representatives from major industry groups, such as the American Hospital Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the National Patient Advocate Foundation. The task force was advised by national health care policymakers including former Health and Human Services secretaries Mike Leavitt and Donna Shalala, as well as former Senate leaders Bill Frist and Tom Daschle and Clinton Administration Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick. ■ MetroHealth First in the Nation to Be Recognized by HFMA for Excellence in Patient Financial Communications U NION HOSPITAL IN Dover has been named to the list of "100 Great Community Hospitals" by Becker's Hospital Review, a monthly publication of business and legal news for hospital executives in the U.S. According to Becker's, community hospitals included on the list all have fewer than 550 beds; are non-teaching hospitals; and are located in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the U.S. Becker's Hospital Review editorial team selected hospitals for inclusion based on rankings and awards received f rom iVa nt a g e He a lt h A n a ly t ic s, Truven Health Analytics, CareChex and the American Hospital Association. These organizations gather data and rank hospital performance based on their clinical performance, patient safety record, patient satisfaction, and patient outcomes. Becker's Hospital Review does not charge hospitals to be considered for this award nor can a hospital pay to be included on this list. Union Hospital also recently received the Healthgrades 2014 Women's Health Excellence Award. This recognition places Union Hospital among the top 10% of the nation's hospitals in women's health, which includes care provided to women for common conditions and procedures treated in the hospita l. Union is 1 of 16 hospitals in Ohio and 176 hospitals in the nation to receive this award. ■ Union Receives Two More National Awards 3 2 | Cleveland/Akron/Canton MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M ■ S E P T E M B E R /O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4