Financial Analysis and Decision Making in Healthcare – BUSI 523

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024

Course Description

Focused on financial analysis and decision making in healthcare, this course will provide exposure to the design and operation of healthcare financial and reimbursement systems. Examines the current system of financing health care and the factors affecting it. Students will examine topics related to the revenue cycle, disbursement, budgeting/forecasting, internal control, financial reporting, and contract management aspects of the healthcare organization.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Financial management in a healthcare organization has unique elements that are either not found in other areas of business or have unique applications. Healthcare professionals need to have a thorough understanding of the revenue cycle, reimbursements, budgeting/forecasting, internal control, contract management, and financial reporting within the healthcare industry in order to make sound financial decisions.

Course Assignment

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 600 words. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 450 words. Each thread and reply must contain at least 2 references and 1 instance of biblical integration. Current APA format must be used.

Assessment quizzes will be conducted on each chapter within the Navigate 2 software system that came with the text. These assessments are essay-type questions. Formal APA is not required; however, if a source is used, there must be an appropriate citation and reference.

The student will write a 5-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on the Affordable Care Act and the implications for the healthcare industry. The paper must contain implications for the appeal of the Act, as well as other current developments in the news. The paper must include at least 5 references in addition to the course textbook and the Bible.

The student will complete a project involving the creation of a budget. Specific budgets to be produced and other requirements may be found in the Budget Project Assignment Resources.