Higher Thinking
Quick, timely blog posts. Thought-provoking trends. How-to guides and in-depth case studies. Use this page to explore all of our best thinking on US healthcare delivery, plus the occasional news from our firm. Find something that inspires or troubles you? Contact us any time – we’d love to be your thought partner in delivering more accessible, sustainable, and equitable healthcare. >>
Blog Posts
Medicare (Dis)Advantage: Hospital Observation Downgrades
Research shows that observation status is much more common under Medicare Advantage – bad news for patients and hospitals alike.
Blog Posts
Hospital Operating Margins in Limbo as Investments Drive Profitability
Hospital operating margins are highly uncertain, even as investment income provides an illusion of financial wellbeing.
Blog Posts
Medicare (Dis)Advantage: DRG Downgrades
MA plans are using millions of DRG downgrades as a "backdoor" tool for cutting hospital payments. Here are 3 ways to fight back.
Blog Posts
Medicare (Dis)Advantage: 35 Million Prior Authorizations
Prior authorizations have become the norm in Medicare Advantage, causing treatment delays for patients and financial headaches for providers.
Blog Posts
Medicare (Dis)Advantage: Hospitals Count the Cost
Medicare Advantage now covers more than half of U.S. seniors, putting huge new strains on healthcare delivery.
Firm News
Meet the Team: Greg Flicek
Our resident CPA discusses where he came from, what drives him, and what he'd like to fix in healthcare.
Blog Posts
Hospital Finance: Capital Expenditure Costs Are Up Nearly 2x
Rising interest rates + building costs have nearly doubled the price of capital projects. What happens now?
Healthcare Horizons
Smart Health Devices: A Smart Business for Hospitals?
Why a hospital-based tech boutique might be a viable strategy for building enduring patient relationships and new revenue streams.
Blog Posts
Health System Profits Are Widespread Despite Operating Losses
Big health systems are turning profitable again, but investment income may be masking deep – and unsustainable – operational woes.
Blog Posts
Chronic Care Management Reimbursement: Pitfalls & Potential
Struggling physician practices may be missing a lucrative opportunity that's also a key to healthcare transformation.
Guides
Look-Alike Health Centers: the Ascendient Guide
Learn why this obscure provider type can offer financial and strategic benefits while improving care for underserved communities.
Videos
Healthcare Consulting Partnerships: 3 Executive Testimonials
Three healthcare leaders in a variety of roles discuss Ascendient's value as a long-term partner.
Blog Posts
Rural Emergency Hospital Questions: Just the FAQs
We have answers to the 9 biggest questions we've been hearing about Medicare's new Rural Emergency Hospital model.
Blog Posts
Analysis: 88% of Large Health Systems Are Losing Money in 2022
Healthcare financial planning is tougher than ever. In 2022, even the largest health systems are losing money on both operations & investments.
Blog Posts
Strategic Planning for Hospitals: Why Worry About the Surge
Lately we've seen record interest in our strategic planning services for hospitals – and that could be a bad sign for the U.S. healthcare system.
Case Studies
Steering Two Competing Systems Toward a Population Health Center
In one rural market, we created a blueprint for cooperation rather than unsustainable competition between failing providers.
Blog Posts
3 Ways to “Upcycle” Those Unused Inpatient Hospital Rooms
There's likely to be a glut of unused inpatient hospital rooms when REH status picks up steam. Here are 3 ways to put those rooms to use.
Blog Posts
Critical Access Hospitals: 5 Troubling Financial Signals for 2022
Days cash on hand, the quickest metric for judging financial health at Critical Access Hospitals, is poised to plunge in 2022. Here's why.
Blog Posts
Healthcare Marketing: Why “Cookies” Are Off the Menu
Third-party cookies are commonly used in healthcare marketing, but they're going away in 2022. Here's what you need to know.
Blog Posts
Corporations Are Betting Big on Value-Based Care
Companies are investing billions in value-based care – a good sign for healthcare transformation but a potential problem for traditional providers.