1. Why do other payers use Medicare as the benchmark for payment? What are other options?
2. How important is it to involve physicians in financial improvement efforts? What is the best strategy for physician engagement?
3. Compare and contrast the following three organizational approaches to financial management using operations management tools:
a. A centralized department that has experts (Six Sigma black belts) on staff who charter and lead projects throughout an organization
b. A centralized department that only conducts training in process improvement and maintains the project management office; all projects are led by line staff who have been trained in process
improvement tools
c. The use of consultants to lead process improvement projects
