Moody’s revises healthcare outlook from “stable” to “negative”

Maybe we only think we are recession proof.  With the seemingly never ending spiral of credit, housing and banking crises ravaging through the global economy, investors are starting to take notice that healthcare doesn’t exist in a silo.

Medical practices, hospitals, and physical therapy clinics get paid by someone, and if that someone is in financial trouble, you can bet the problems don’t stop at the practices’ front doors.  The someone just so happens to be “everyone,” or so it seems in our economy today.

This article from the ChicagoTribune.com discusses Moody’s downgrade of the healthcare industry’s 12- to 18- month outlook.

The New York-based financial ratings firm has issued reports in the past two weeks on various sectors, from hospitals and medical devices to insurance companies, revising the health-care industry’s 12- to 18-month outlook to “negative” from “stable.”

Moody’s sees fewer patients seeking medical care, particularly elective surgeries, while more people could lose their health-care coverage altogether. Such trends will lead people to delay getting medical care or avoiding treatment.

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Click here or call (888) 827-5613 for information on a free program dedicated to helping private practices throughout the U.S. strategically adjust to the slowing economy.  Free program runs through March 31st, 2009 and is open to practice owners and administrators of any healthcare discipline.

Tannus Quatre PT, MBA is a practice consultant and principal with Vantage Clinical Solutions, Inc., a national healthcare consulting and management firm located on the west coast.  Tannus can be reached through the Vantage Clinical Solutions website by clicking here.