The lengthening revenue cycle affects all specialties within the health care delivery system. The dilemma for the health care provider has to do with the lack of control over shortening it. 

Whatever the reasons for unpredictable revenue cycles … payer systems issues related to HIPAA revisions, ICD-10 implementations, technology upgrades, or simply payer dominance in a given market area … it is clear that the time lag between the provision of service and the receipt of payment is critical and worsening!

The impact of health care reform on provider reimbursements will result in the timely access to operating cash as the most serious financial issue facing health care providers ... beyond what it is today ... and well into the future!