HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care industry intelligence, finds that each of the four largest area health systems and hospitals in the Syracuse, New York healthcare market finished 2004 in the black. According to the latest issue of the Syracuse Market Overview, Syracuse hospitals benefited from a 4.5 percent increase in patient volume in 2004, but continued low operating margins leaving them vulnerable to any future cuts in Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements.
Syracuse's four major health systems and hospitals, St Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Crouse Hospital, University Hospital, and Community General Hospital, are all members of the Hospital Executive Council, a cooperative effort to improve hospital operations and quality.
"Syracuse is one of the few markets in New York State to have already 'right sized' local hospital capacity," said Patrick Powers, HealthLeaders- InterStudy senior analyst. "That's due largely to the efforts of the local Hospital Executive Council. But hospital margins are still below the 4 to 6 percent range that's the accepted industry standard a hospital needs to make necessary capital improvements."
Syracuse hospitals have also been feeling market pressure from local physician groups, who have been investing heavily in diagnostic equipment and ambulatory surgery centers, and siphoning off a good share of the lucrative outpatient business.
Other news about the Syracuse healthcare market: * Despite attempts by some national insurers to enter the Syracuse healthcare market, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield continues to hold on to its dominant 72 percent market share in the area. * State tightening of eligibility rules has led to a nine percent drop in Medicaid enrollment in the area. About Market Overviews
Market Overviews provides a detailed analysis of local healthcare markets, allowing healthcare businesses to plan their local strategies.
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For more information, contact: Alex Jablokow Decision Resources 781-296-2562 ajablokow@dresources.com
SOURCE: HealthLeaders-InterStudy
CONTACT: Alex Jablokow of Decision Resources, +1-781-296-2562,
ajablokow@dresources.com
