HCM 510 Health Care Management
Provides an overview of the health care system in the United States. The course focuses on the unique characteristics of health care delivery, and discusses the major issues and challenges that impact the cost, quality, and access to health care. Emphasis is placed on understanding the historical context; how the U.S. health care system developed; and the significant policies that regulate health care organizations, providers, payors, and populations. Students are introduced also to general financial, reimbursement, legal, and strategic planning issues that are essential to managing in the health care environment. (3)
HCM 520 Health Care Reimbursement Systems
Provides an overview of how the reimbursement systems work in the United States. The course focuses on the evolution of insurance, HMOs, and managed care. Students learn how hospitals, outpatient centers, clinicians, and other providers are reimbursed for the services. Private and public reimbursement; state rate setting; risk management; new models of reimbursement; the role of billing, coding, and accounts receivable; and managed competition are explained. Offered spring semester only. Prerequisite: HCM 510. (3)
HCM 525 Health Care Management — Long-Term Care
Focuses on the education of individuals seeking to become managers in the long-term care field, specifically those seeking roles as nursing home administrators and managers of assisted living and home health care programs. The course examines the external forces that impact on the operation and management of long-term care facilities, including government payors, state regulatory bodies, and national accreditation bodies. Prerequisite: HCM 510. (3)
HCM 535 Health Care Policy and Ethics
Uses the case method to analyze major health care issues and policy formulation for health care providers and organizations. It covers health care policy, planning, and operations of the health care system. The course also reviews the major ethical issues inherent in health care and requires the student to analyze the impact of ethical decisions on the cost and access to care. Offered spring semester only. Prerequisite: HCM 510. (3)
HCM 550 Health Care Finance
Focuses on the financial management of health care organizations, addressing issues unique to health care organizations. The course trains students to create, read, and interpret financial statements and key financial ratios within the health care industry and to assess the financial health of an organization. Students will also discuss the importance of credit, the time value of money, and learn to develop a long-range financial plan that supports an organization’s strategic plan. The course will also review the legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations that are critical to sound financial management. Offered spring semester. Prerequisite: HCM 510. (3)
HCM 555 Health Care Strategic Planning and Marketing
Focuses on the role of strategic planning within a health care organization. Emphasis will be placed on learning the strategic planning process, including developing and implementing the mission, vision, goals, and objectives. Students will analyze different health care provider, payor, and consumer markets, and assess how each impacts the viability of a strategic plan. The course also will discuss the role of marketing in the delivery of health care, and the unique challenges health care organizations face in marketing products and services. The importance of leadership and corporate governance in implementing a strategic plan also will be examined. Offered fall semester only. Prerequisite: HCM 510. (3)
HCM 565 Health Care Cases and Project
As the capstone in the Health Care Management program, this course requires students to integrate knowledge from all the classes and to apply it to complex health care management situations. Students may do either a research paper analyzing a current issue impacting the delivery of care or investigating an innovative management technique that can be applied to health care organizations or administration, or participate in an approved internship or fellowship. Prerequisites: HCM 520, HCM 535, HCM 550, HCM 555, and LA 540. (3-6)