Humana's Financial Leadership Transition
Diamond's Departure and Her Impact
Susan Diamond's decision to leave Humana after 18 years is a significant event. She has played a crucial role in the company's financial management during a challenging period. Her expertise and leadership have been instrumental in navigating the insurer through various financial situations. With her departure, Humana now faces the task of finding a suitable replacement to continue driving the company's financial success.During her tenure, Diamond has overseen important financial decisions and strategies that have shaped Humana's financial position. Her departure will leave a void that needs to be filled by a capable individual who can understand the intricacies of the healthcare industry and the insurer's financial operations.
Mellet's Appointment and Her Qualifications
Celeste Mellet, the chosen successor to Diamond, brings a wealth of experience to Humana. She comes from Global Infrastructure Partners and has previously worked at investment banks Evercore and Morgan Stanley, as well as mortgage financier Fannie Mae.Humana CEO Jim Rechtin praised Mellet, stating that she is a highly accomplished CFO with first-hand experience navigating dynamic and highly regulated industries. Her proven track record of working with cross-functional teams makes her well-suited to drive improved performance throughout the complex organization.
Financial Turmoil at Humana
Humana has been facing financial turmoil in recent months. In April, the company pulled its profit outlook for 2025 due to declining payment rates in Medicare Advantage. Payers in the privatized Medicare program are managing increased medical spending among beneficiaries, which has put pressure on Humana's finances.The insurer is also facing a significant drop in MA star ratings for next year, which could have a substantial impact on its financial performance. In late October, Humana sued the HHS over its star ratings, arguing that federal regulators calculated the scores in an arbitrary and capricious manner.
Progress in Improving Financial Position
Despite the challenges, Humana has made some progress in improving its financial position in the third quarter. The company posted better results than analysts anticipated and boosted its 2025 earnings guidance.On Tuesday, Humana reiterated its adjusted profit guidance for this year, expecting at least $16 per share. The insurer also expects adjusted profit for 2025 to be "at least in line with final 2024 results." These positive developments give hope for the company's future financial performance.
Unlocking IT Success in a Rural Healthcare Haven
Meeting Community Needs with Legacy Vendors
In our journey with a legacy vendor, we've managed to fulfill our community's needs while staying adaptable to new technology. We communicate with providers to ensure they can address patient needs promptly. It's our top priority to bring the right tech investments at the optimal time. Facilitating cross-department relationships is crucial as it leads to productive enhancements. The right partner should involve stakeholders throughout the facility, and we should take time to evaluate the best technology.For instance, when a new end-user requirement arises, we work in partnership with our legacy vendors to find solutions. This ensures that our IT systems remain agile and meet the evolving needs of our community.
We also understand that collaboration with the EHR partner is an enterprise-wide effort. By involving all departments, we can address pain points and enhance our systems effectively.
The Value of Optimizing Current Systems
Optimization over rip and replace offers several benefits. We initially faced meaningful use challenges and needed to migrate to one EHR system. A vendor that understood our small, acute care health system was crucial. Now, with proper tools, we deliver high-quality care at the right cost.Regular adaptations and improvements keep our systems up to date, preventing the need for new integrations. Optimization saves clinicians time, allowing them to focus on patient care. We aim to enhance our current technology rather than implementing new, costly systems.
Through this process, we've learned that the patient journey is at the heart of successful implementation. Regular dialogue between IT teams, leadership, and vendors is essential for continuous adaptation and relationship building.
Facilitating Social Determinants of Health Data Capture
Our facility values social determinants of health (SDOH) as it provides insights into our community's overall well-being. In a rural setting, we face unique challenges in patient privacy.We tapped case managers to perform SDOH data capture. Since nurses already had a lot of paperwork, additional documentation was not ideal. Case managers meet with patients before discharge and collect data at the bedside, increasing compliance and providing a comprehensive view of our community's social needs.
We also respect patient privacy by taking an educational approach. Patients and their families are willing to share sensitive information when they understand its importance in providing better care. Additionally, we evaluated our SDOH data and discovered transportation gaps. In response, we started an Artesia General shuttle service to transport patients to appointments. With accurate SDOH data, we are better equipped to meet our patients' and community's needs.
Eric Jimenez, the CIO at Artesia General Hospital, has shared these insights based on his experiences. As the hospital looks to the future, it continues to seek growth avenues and improve patient and employee experiences through technology.Saint Francis Healthcare System Expands Gastroenterology Services with Michele Tanz
Medical Education and Certification
Tanz’s educational journey began in 2014 at Vanderbilt University, where she laid the foundation for her successful career in healthcare. Her board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center ensures that she meets the highest standards of professional competence. This combination of education and certification equips her with the knowledge and skills needed to handle a wide range of gastroenterology cases.Her training at Vanderbilt University exposed her to the latest advancements in medical research and practice, enabling her to stay at the forefront of the field. The board certification further validates her expertise and gives patients confidence in her abilities.
Specialization and Clinic Location
Cape Gastroenterology Specialists is proud to have Tanz as a part of their team, specializing in gastroenterology. Her focus on this specific area allows her to provide in-depth care and treatment for various digestive disorders.The clinic is conveniently located at 28 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, MO. This accessible location makes it easy for patients to access the specialized services offered by Cape Gastroenterology Specialists and Michele Tanz.
Contact Information and Further Resources
For those interested in learning more about Michele Tanz or the services provided by Cape Gastroenterology Specialists, there are several options available. Visiting Tanz’s provider profile provides detailed information about her background, experience, and areas of expertise.Patients can also reach out to Cape Gastroenterology Specialists directly by calling 573-331-3350. The friendly staff is ready to assist with any inquiries and provide further guidance.