I don't even know where to start with this. Anything will help get me started.

DEPARTMENT/OPERATING BUDGET:

We are just starting the initial phases of our budget cycle. I would like you to draft our initial budget projections

using the information presented below taking into consideration the various event/items mentioned. What you are to prepare will be used for our initial presentation to the hospital administrator so it should be in a presentable format with brief explanations and/or justifications for each of the budget categories to explain changes being requested or why changes might not be necessary. For the explanation/justification, list what changes are being made and why and what the implications will be to the department because of the changes.

In an effort toward voluntary cost containment, the budget director has declared that each department must hold the total budget increase to no more than 3% for the operating budget. Fringe benefits (i.e. health insurance, vacation, etc.) are estimated at 29% of salary and will need to be included in the salary budget projections.

Additional information needed in preparing the projected budget for our department for next year:

- the fiscal year is January 1 through December 31

- the hospital averages 17,000 discharges per year

- due to inflation, the following increases should be included

- 12% increase on supplies and maintenance contracts

- data processing has announced an increase of $0.24 per discharge, current charge is $0.95 per discharge

- AHIMA national meeting will be in Chicago, Illinois (2020) and we should send at least one of the

Department managers. The registration will be approximately $400. HIMSS annual meeting and exhibition will be in Denver and we should send at least one with registration comparable to AHIMA. The TxHIMA annual meeting in June will be in DFW, TX (2021). There will be other professional meetings throughout the year on the electronic health record, coding, release of information, the TxState Spring Conference, etc.

- No significant changes in services or patient mix are anticipated for this next year

- Outsourced Release of Information has been evaluated due to issues with the services currently being provided.

This year's current operating budget: Current Proposed

Data Processing: $17,000

Supplies 24,000

Duplicating 12,000

Travel 4,000

Equipment & Maintenance Contracts 12,500

Contract services (Release of Info) 45,000

Capital Outlay none