Steven Burghart, FACHE

CarePoint Health System's most recent bankruptcy reflects years of financial struggles, legal disputes, and attempts to salvage its healthcare operations. Ironically, it was formed in 2013 when three hospitals—Bayonne Medical Center (BMC), Hoboken University Medical Center (HUMC), and Christ Hospital— were purchased out of bankruptcy. Financial strain and management controversies plagued the network, particularly after reports surfaced in 2019 that former CEO Vivek Garipalli and other leaders funneled millions through shell companies, casting a shadow over CarePoint’s financial integrity. In recent years, CarePoint’s financial troubles deepened, with operating losses reaching 14% and significant debt accumulation, prompting the state to appoint a fiscal monitor. CarePoint repeatedly requested state subsidies to maintain operations, cut employee hours, and faced over $11 million in lawsuits from unpaid vendors. An intense rivalry with Secaucus-based Hudson Regional Hospital and its owner, Yan Moshe further complicated CarePoint’s stability. Moshe acquired the land beneath BMC in 2019, spurring legal battles over property control. Bayonne’s city council attempted to safeguard BMC’s future as a hospital through zoning protections, leading to a prolonged court dispute that recently concluded with a ruling in favor of preserving the hospital's function. Despite their adversarial history, CarePoint and HRH recently forged a tentative partnership to create a unified healthcare network, a deal brokered by Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. However, just weeks after this announcement, newly appointed CarePoint CEO Dr. Jawad Shah abruptly resigned, leaving CarePoint without a clear leader and triggering renewed uncertainty. Following Shah’s departure, HRH promptly offered $25 million in interim funding to help CarePoint avoid liquidation. HRH proposed to integrate HUMC, Christ Hospital, and BMC into its network, which includes its existing facility in Secaucus, with hopes of forming a stable, regional healthcare system. The Hudson County community and union representatives have since called for a state investigation into CarePoint’s financial management. To keep this story very "New Jersey" its also worth noting that HRH’s recent public image suffered a blow due to the arrest of its marketing director, Reuven Alonalayoff, who was found with an arsenal of weapons and ammunition in an unlocked hospital office. This prolonged crisis raises a pressing question for New Jersey’s state leadership: why wasn’t more done to prevent this unfolding catastrophe? For years, warning signs were not only apparent—they were glaring. Mismanagement, spiraling debt, and questionable practices were well-documented. As a critical safety-net system, CarePoint’s facilities serve some of the most vulnerable populations in Hudson County. When we have a crisis in leadership, patients and communities suffer. Full stop. Kevin Lyonsjeff lestonJohn TozziAnna Mathews

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Listen Here: https://lnkd.in/euF9Q_wf In this episode, Brian Shockney, Senior Vice President of System Regional Operations at Indiana University Health, discusses key healthcare trends, including workforce challenges, the use of AI to enhance operational efficiency, and the vital role nonprofit healthcare systems play in their communities. Brian also shares insights into the future of nonprofit healthcare and its impact on addressing social determinants of health. For more information about Becker's Healthcare, please contact Jessica Cole or Scott Becker. #podcast #healthcare #leadership #innovationinhealthcare

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USA Health is expanding its women’s services division with the addition of Michael Fesenmeier, M.D. He spent two decades in private practice in Ohio before moving back to the Gulf Coast to join the region's only academic health system. https://ow.ly/xA2x50UbmUk

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The Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals (AHVAP) celebrates Elizabeth Eisenberg, MSN, RN, CVAHP from Scripps Health for commitment to excellence in the specialty of healthcare value analysis! Liz has signified this commitment by signing the official Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals (AHVAP) healthcare value analysis pledge. To learn more about the Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals (AHVAP) Commitment pledge: https://lnkd.in/gqEWPBue. #AHVAP #valuebasedcare #excellenceincare #valueanalysis

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Purchased services are vital to healthcare, but they can also become financial drains if not managed properly. A mature purchased services strategy includes insight into all expenses, reduction in unnecessary variation, and prioritized patient care, outcomes, and experience. By focusing on these areas, health systems can lower costs, improve clinical care, and enhance patient experiences. Learn more in Advantus Health Partners article about how to create a mature purchased services strategy: https://lnkd.in/g4UwCjCW #HealthcareSupplyChain #ValueBasedCare #SupplyChainManagement

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Join Eric Lucas, Jonathan Mason & Georgia Green, MS, CHFP for a webcast on 8/27 - Medicare Regulatory Update: 2025 IPPS Final Rule. We’ll discuss the latest updates for hospitals and cover topics including an evaluation of the IPPS final rule key areas, reimbursement shifts and data trends identified in the IPPS final rule data, and next steps and factors to consider because of the final changes, including the mandatory TEAM model. #healthcare #hospitals

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Value-based care in action at BSMH! These outcomes are so impressive and I am honored to be a part of this work. #valuebasedcare #ACO #caremanagment #carecoordination #patientoutcomes

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100% satisfaction in birth metrics! What is the secret? Cleveland Clinic achieved 100% satisfaction across five birth metrics, a notable feat that Becker's Hospital Review highlighted. Cleveland Clinic adopted TeamBirth in October 2022. TeamBirth is a care delivery model jointly created in 2021 by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Ariadne Labs and UMass Memorial Health. It emphasizes routine check-ins with all patient care team members and family at key points to streamline communication about birth preferences and patient status, using a whiteboard as a key tool. Since adopting it, the health system saw the rate of C-sections for Black mothers go down from 41% to 22%. Rates also improved for white mothers, dropping from 27% to 23%, bringing the outcomes for its patient populations to a more equitable level. ▶ Satisfaction went up across five categories in 2022 to a perfect 100% for: ➡ Friendliness/courtesy of the unit — up 10% from 2022. ➡ Staff concern, information about progress and baby’s condition — up 12% from 2022. ➡ Nurse promptness in responding to patient call — up 12% from 2022. ➡ Nurse's attitude toward patient requests — up 13% from 2022. ➡ Doctor and staff working together during birth — up 15% from 2022. Patient satisfaction grew by 23% — from 72% in 2022 to 95% in 2024 — for how well they felt Cleveland Clinic managed their pain during labour. Transparent communication is important to promoting safety and reliability in high-risk organizations. ♻ How is the communication in your organization? #healthcare #communication #reliability

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🎉 Today is the day! Our Strategic Planning and Strategy Execution series kicks off with Part 1: Strategy or Just Surviving. Led by Doug Morse, this session is tailored for rural hospital trustees and executives. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your strategic planning efforts! Register now: https://bit.ly/44M81Pi #StrategicPlanning #HospitalLeaders

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Perfect way to mange the revenue cycle

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The path to high performant specialty care starts with the referral—ensuring the patient sees the right doctor, at the right time, the first time, and every time. What I’ve been most impressed with in my early days on the Conduce Health team is the ability to accurately and consistently make this possible and personalized at the patient level. Interested in learning more? Let’s connect!

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Health insurance companies Medicare Advantage plans subsidy and premium based EBITDA and Profits can only be guaranteed and expanded by taking from the physicians who manufacture preventive, medical, surgical and palliative outcomes with their patients and also taking from the hospitals in which clinical outcomes are manufactured and produced. #quadrupleaim, #medicare #medicareadvantage #healthcarecosts

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Natavia Boyd-Wells, 40, owner of TOUCH OF THE HEART HOME HEALTH CARE LLC, has been indicted for defrauding Missouri Medicaid and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of over $800,000. Facing four counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false healthcare-related statements, Boyd-Wells is accused of submitting fraudulent claims for services never provided. Enrolled in the Missouri Medicaid Program and VA Community Care Network since 2020, she allegedly falsified documentation to support claims, including a 2022 patient visit for Missouri Medicaid after an audit request. Claims submitted to the VA falsely indicated patients received over 24 hours of care in a single day. Missouri Medicaid paid $197,022, while VA reimbursements exceeded $600,000. The case, investigated by the VA Office of Inspector General and Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, underscores law enforcement's commitment to combating healthcare fraud, protecting public funds, and ensuring accountability. Our RCM safeguards home health and hospice clients by implementing robust compliance protocols, conducting regular audits, and ensuring accurate documentation for claims. We provide training on proper billing practices, identify discrepancies proactively, and collaborate with clients to adhere to regulatory standards, minimizing risks of fraudulent claims and financial liabilities. #HomeHealthServices #HospiceCare #FrontEndServices #BackOfficeSolutions #HealthcareManagement #RevenueCycleManagement #HealthcareCompliance #PatientSupport #CareCoordination #MedicalBilling #ClaimsManagement #PatientEngagement #HealthcareOutsourcing #MedicalCoding #ProviderSupport #CliniqonCare #HealthcareSolutions #PatientCareExcellence #HomeHealthRCM #HospiceBilling

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Epic Systems’ recent move to back the TEFCA medical records exchange is interesting. On the surface, it’s all about creating a seamless flow of patient data across hospitals, QHINs, and all relevant stakeholders. But let’s be real—data is the oil of the new economy, and interoperability is the pipeline that delivers this precious resource to all the right stakeholders. By aligning with TEFCA, Epic might just be positioning itself as the refinery. All in all, this is a welcoming move by Epic Systems—especially if it really is as straightforward as they make it sound. But given the lack of details, one has to wonder if there are any hidden catches. After all, when it comes to something as valuable as healthcare data, it’s wise to look out for the fine print. Let’s hope this is genuinely about improving patient care. https://lnkd.in/gDdDCcmj

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➡️ Whether you’ve determined now is the time for you to begin the process toward FACHE or you’re still deciding, the next stop on your journey is our FACHE Overview Webinar. This webinar is free for you to attend but it requires registration. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/4fVBYRC

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