Johnston County hospital system in Smithfield, N.C., will partner with UNC Health Care in Chapel Hill to provide a larger range of services and cut operating costs, according to a News Observer report.
Officials at Johnston said the UNC partnership will help the smaller system cope with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement changes and other healthcare reforms, according to the report. The two systems may also share electronic health records and billing systems, further reducing individual costs.
Critics fear hospital consolidation will drive up patient bills and insurance premiums. UNC's expansion may make it increasingly hard for other hospital systems to compete, according to the report.
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Officials at Johnston said the UNC partnership will help the smaller system cope with Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement changes and other healthcare reforms, according to the report. The two systems may also share electronic health records and billing systems, further reducing individual costs.
Critics fear hospital consolidation will drive up patient bills and insurance premiums. UNC's expansion may make it increasingly hard for other hospital systems to compete, according to the report.
More Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
To Avoid Fraud, Revenue Loss Coders Must Follow CPT Guidelines
Survey: Only 31% of Physicians Support Full EHR Access for Patients
Sequestration: Medicare 2% Physician Payment Cuts Due Monday