Low consumer literacy of healthcare industry linked to almost $5 billion in costs, report finds
Confusion over navigating the complex healthcare system translates into a significant customer-service cost burden for insurers.
Wraparound services hold promise for reducing health costs and improving outcomes
Wraparound services potentially saved $8.2 million from 2011 to 2016, based on median hospitalization costs, the authors found.
6 back office billing strategies
In this two-part series, Olson, who works at the Ocean Springs, Miss., firm, offers financial management and support services for the healthcare community. She shares six ways to get your back office team to bring their best game to your billing and collections efforts. Click here to see her suggestions for the front office.
Healthcare spending is growing along with prices, up 5% over 2017
Spending by private payers has grown at a faster clip, with growth hitting 7.4 percent compared to 2.3 percent for public payer spending.
Landlords Get Innovative to Fill Vacancies
Turnkey rental solutions are a viable alternative and supplement to traditional tenancies. Be sure to check local laws and lender requirements first, though.
New Tax Incentives for Workforce Housing
A veteran tax consultant explains how the newly created Qualified Opportunity Zones offer incentives to provide workforce housing in economically distressed areas.
As Online Rentals Increase, So Does Fraud
While easier, digitized applications can create headaches and losses for property owners and managers because they open the door for false data entry.
3 ways to get more from your marketing dollars
In a strong economy, some companies cut back on marketing while others overspend on it. A better approach is to get more from your investment so you can cut back or ramp up as prudent. Start with digital marketing: Use search engine optimization, social media and Internet-only deals to improve customer focus. And don’t assume you’re at the mercy of high advertising rates; exploit competition among today’s marketing/advertising channels to find good deals. Last, use press releases as a low-cost complement to your marketing campaigns. Contact us for more info.
Mutual funds: Handle with care at year end
As we approach the end of 2018, it’s a good idea to review the mutual fund holdings in your taxable accounts and take steps to avoid potential tax traps. For example, near year end, funds typically distribute net realized capital gains to investors. These gains will be taxable to you regardless of whether received in cash or reinvested in the fund. So, for each fund, find out the size of distributions and the breakdown of long-term vs. short-term gains. If the tax impact will be significant, consider strategies to offset the gain. Contact us to learn more.
It’s not too late: You can still set up a retirement plan for 2018
If most of your money is tied up in your business, retirement can be a challenge. So if you haven’t already set up a tax-advantaged retirement plan, consider doing so this year. There’s still time to set one up and make contributions that will be deductible on your 2018 tax return. And funds can grow tax deferred. If you have employees, they generally must be allowed to participate in the plan, provided they meet the requirements. But you might be eligible for a $500 tax credit for setting up the plan. Would you like to set up a plan this year? Contact us!