HFMA collaboration with Boise State creates innovative master's program

For more than a decade, HFMA has worked with leading health systems, industry experts, associations and universities to evaluate and accelerate the move toward valuebased care - primarily through the HFMA Value Project, but in other ways too. As the thinking and work has evolved, HFMA has shifted to talking about the cost effectiveness of health (CEoH) and how to transform the industry from its path of continuous growth to becoming more cost effective as a long-term goal.

Central to this CEoH goal is recognition that the U.S. healthcare system must expand from addressing patients' acute care needs to managing all aspects of patient health.

To shift the culture and standards of practice of care - from emergent medicine to population health and chronic care management programs - requires a complete modernization and overhaul of the global healthcare industry.

PHSM PROGRAM DETAILS

To that end, HFMA has unveiled a collaborative program co-created and delivered by Boise State university - the Master in Population and Health Systems Management (PHSM) degree. Having a world-class faculty composed of physicians, actuaries, payment model experts and financial experts will help bridge the gaps between the clinical, operational and financial fields. And it will assist in delivering an education focused on optimizing health outcomes while overcoming constraints and mitigating risk to find real solutions to current and future community health needs.

This partnership is an industry gamechanging opportunity because the degree addresses the modern needs in healthcare education through the lens of population health, risk mitigation and finance. It explores the relationship between epidemiology and actuarial science in the context of population health, and then operationalizes the theory and brings to practice the business intelligence and management skills necessary to be successful in the changing healthcare landscape. Students will examine the basics of insurance with analysis at the patient level to create care plans and best practices that mitigate risk and promote best patient outcomes.

HFMA CERTIFICATIONS AS PART OF THE DEGREE

Graduates of this program will have the opportunity to earn the four industry-recognized certifications from HFMA (CHFP, CSBI, CSAF and CRCR) incorporated into this master's degree. To learn more about the certifications, visit www.hfma.org, click on "Education & Events," and then on "Certifications."

Although the courses in the program will incorporate the examinations related to the certifications, the program will provide much more, including:

* A richer understanding of the concepts

* Group activities, which contribute to student learning

* Interactions with expert faculty

* Insight from guest lecturers

* Exercises not covered in the individual certification exams

The first class will be welcomed to this hybrid learning experience in August 2021. I