Supply Chain Managers & the Revenue Cycle

Historically, bottom-line-focused healthcare materials managers are best known for controlling and reducing costs on the expense side of the balance sheet. However, a small but growing number of forward-thinking materials managers are crossing the aisle, so to speak, to work with key financial executives on the revenue side, too. Sometimes, the materials manager is driving the relationship; other times, the revenue cycle executive approaches the materials manager to become a partner. Depending on your facility’s financial situation, who should approach whom? Should materials managers confine themselves to traditional expense-related issues or should they also venture out to the non-traditional in proving their worth by generating revenue – even if they have more work to do in expense management? The bottom line: Should materials managers concern themselves with top-line issues? What do you think and why?