Learning Outcomes This week students will: 1. Compare and contrast cost benefit analysis and cost utility analysis. 2. Analyze the role of pricing transparency in health care. 3. Develop a SWOT analysis for a proposed health care services project.   Introduction Price setting and profitability depend on several factors as stated by Porter’s model, which include nature of rivalry, bargaining power of customers (patients) and risk of entry by potential rivals. This week, we will explore health administrative innovations with an eye toward health care delivery and service demands. It is critical to appraise projects using cost benefit analysis and utility analysis to ascertain if a procedure is worth the cost or if a specific process can be done more efficiently. In addition, this has to take into account pricing. As noted in our text, “Pricing is a continuing challenge for healthcare organizations for three reasons” (Lee, 2009, p. 169). First, leaders don’t have clear pricing strategy. Second, leaders lack the necessary data to make a good decision and, finally, one pricing model does not fit every department or organization (Lee, 2009). This week we will explore aspects of pricing transparency as well as ideas on how clear strategies and accurate data are necessary in good decision making. Required Resources Required Text 1. Lee, R. H. (2009). Economics for health care managers (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Care Administration Press.  a. Chapter 11: Pricing b. Chapter 13: Economic Analysis of Clinical and Managerial Interventions c. Chapter 14: Profits, Market Structure, and Market Power Articles 1. Daniels, E. B., & Dickson, T.C. (1990). Assessing the feasibility, Performance of geriatric clinics. Healthcare Financial Management, 44(2), 30-34. Retrieved from the ProQuest database · This article will be used in conjunction with your feasibility study assignments. 2. University of Kansas. (2013) Community tool box. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-resources/swot-analysis/main · This webpage provides an overview of SWOT analysis from the community context.  Multimedia 1. Demand Metric (2012, November 5). Feasibility study template [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNsimuW0dJU · This video shows you what goes into a feasibility study as a template used. Recommended Resources Articles 1. Guo, J., Wade, T., Pan, W., & Keller, K. (2010). School-based health centers: Cost-benefit analysis and impact on health care disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 100(9), 1617-1623. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.185181  · This article evaluated the impact of school-based health centers--which provide essential health care for students by aiming to eliminate many access barriers--on health care access disparities and conducted a cost--benefit analysis. 2. Hsu, S. H. (2011). Cost information and pricing: Empirical evidence. Contemporary Accounting Re ...

1. Learning Outcomes
This week students will:
1. Compare and contrast cost benefit analysis and cost utility
analysis.
2. Analyze the role of pricing transparency in health care.
3. Develop a SWOT analysis for a proposed health care services
project.
Introduction
Price setting and profitability depend on several factors as
stated by Porter’s model, which include nature of rivalry,
bargaining power of customers (patients) and risk of entry by
potential rivals. This week, we will explore health
administrative innovations with an eye toward health care
delivery and service demands. It is critical to appraise projects
using cost benefit analysis and utility analysis to ascertain if a
procedure is worth the cost or if a specific process can be done
more efficiently. In addition, this has to take into account
pricing. As noted in our text, “Pricing is a continuing challenge
for healthcare organizations for three reasons” (Lee, 2009, p.
169). First, leaders don’t have clear pricing strategy. Second,
leaders lack the necessary data to make a good decision and,
finally, one pricing model does not fit every department or
organization (Lee, 2009). This week we will explore aspects of
pricing transparency as well as ideas on how clear strategies
and accurate data are necessary in good decision making.

2. Required Resources
Required Text
1. Lee, R. H. (2009). Economics for health care managers (2nd
ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Care Administration Press.
a. Chapter 11: Pricing
b. Chapter 13: Economic Analysis of Clinical and Managerial
Interventions
c. Chapter 14: Profits, Market Structure, and Market Power
Articles
1. Daniels, E. B., & Dickson, T.C. (1990). Assessing the
feasibility, Performance of geriatric clinics. Healthcare
Financial Management, 44(2), 30-34. Retrieved from the
ProQuest database
· This article will be used in conjunction with your feasibility
study assignments.
2. University of Kansas. (2013) Community tool box. Retrieved
from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-
contents/assessment/assessing-community-needs-and-
resources/swot-analysis/main
· This webpage provides an overview of SWOT analysis from
the community context.
Multimedia
1. Demand Metric (2012, November 5). Feasibility study
template [Video file]. Retrieved from

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNsimuW0dJU
· This video shows you what goes into a feasibility study as a
template used.
Recommended Resources
Articles
1. Guo, J., Wade, T., Pan, W., & Keller, K. (2010). School-
based health centers: Cost-benefit analysis and impact on health
care disparities. American Journal of Public Health, 100(9),
1617-1623. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2009.185181
· This article evaluated the impact of school-based health
centers--which provide essential health care for students by
aiming to eliminate many access barriers--on health care access
disparities and conducted a cost--benefit analysis.
2. Hsu, S. H. (2011). Cost information and pricing: Empirical
evidence. Contemporary Accounting Research, 28(2), 554-579.
doi:10.1111/j.1911-3846.2010.01051.x
· The article examines the relationship between service prices
and unit-allocated capacity costs in firms that have committed
themselves to long-term capacity requirements. Specifically, the
author studies a private hospital in California using data
gleaned from the years 1993 through 1999.
3. Luxton, D. D. (2013). Considerations for planning and
evaluating economic analyses of telemental
health. Psychological Services, 10(3), 276-282.
doi:10.1037/a0030658
· This article discusses the economic evaluation of telemental

4. health (TMH) to inform ways to decrease the cost of delivering
care, to improve access to care, and to make decisions about the
allocation of resources. Previous reviews of telehealth economic
analysis studies have concluded that there are significant
methodological deficiencies and inconsistencies that limit the
ability to make generalized conclusions about the costs and
benefits of telehealth programs (Luxton, 2013).
4. Saleh, S. S., Freire, C., Morris-Dickinson, G., & Shannon, T.
(2012). An effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis of a hospital-
based discharge transition program for elderly medicare
recipients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 60(6),
1051-1056. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.03992.x
· This paper investigated the business case of post discharge
care transition (PDCT) among Medicare beneficiaries by
conducting a cost-benefit analysis.
5. Smith, G. K. (2013). Medical price transparency. Insurance
Advocate, 124(7), 40. Retrieved from the EBSOhost database.
· The author reflects on the challenges in bringing transparent
pricing in health care and discusses the steps to be taken to
resolve the problem. He mentions that medical facilities need to
exhibit transparent pricing to emerge from a competitive market
and market economy. He informs that a tertiary hospital from
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is providing upfront pricing for
procedures for an outpatient center.
Discussions
To participate in the following discussions, go to this
week's Discussion link in the left navigation.
1. Economic Analyses and Interventions

5. Prior to engaging in this discussion, please read Chapters 13
and 14 in the text and review any relevant Instructor Guidance.
It is suggested that you review the recommended articles to
glean any helpful information. Analyze and comment on
economic analyses of health administrative innovations that are
germane to the provision of health services. How have these
innovations become more important in health care delivery
within the context of the Affordable Care Act? Develop a list of
similarities and differences between cost benefit analysis and
cost effectiveness analysis as they pertain to specific health
care service demands. Compare and contrast economic
challenges and incentives as they relate specifically to cost
benefit and cost effectiveness analyses.
Guided Response: Read several of your classmates’ posts and
provide a substantive written response to at least two of your
peers. Discuss whether or not you agree with the conclusions
provided in your classmate’s initial post. Choose one aspect
with which you disagree and offer an alternative that illustrates
innovations in health care delivery. Explain why this alternative
would be a better option and provide at least one peer-reviewed
reference outside of your textbook to support your position.
You must also comment specifically on one aspect of your
classmate’s post with which you agree. Provide a brief
explanation as to why the statements were effective, and
support your opinion and assertions with appropriate research.
In addition to responding to at least two other students’ posts, it
is recommended that you reply to at least one person who
responded to your original post by either respectfully defending
your conclusions or by listing how you might implement the
changes your classmate suggested.
2. Pricing and Transparency
Prior to engaging in this discussion, please read Chapter 11 in

6. your text and review any relevant Instructor Guidance. It is
suggested that you review the recommended articles to glean
any helpful information. Analyze the role of the paradigm shift
under the Affordable Care Act and discuss how transparency
will play a greater role in pricing of health care. In your
opinion, will consumers begin to demand increasing
transparency in pricing? Provide at least one peer-reviewed
reference outside of your textbook to support your position. Do
you believe accrediting commissions (e.g., the Joint
Commission) will demand greater transparency in pricing? How
will these demands be weighted as compared to individual
consumers’ demands? Again, be sure to cite research that
supports your statements.
Guided Response: Read several of your classmates’ posts and
provide a substantive written response to at least two of your
peers. Discuss whether or not you agree with the conclusions
provided in your classmate’s initial post. Choose one aspect
with which you disagree and offer an explanation as to why
your assertions regarding the new paradigm shift toward
transparency will enhance the consumer experience. Explain
how your assertions more accurately tie in with the potential
demands of accreditation groups like the Joint Commission.
Provide at least one reference to support your position.
Comment specifically on one aspect of your classmate’s post
with which you agree. Provide a brief explanation as to why
your colleague’s statements were effective, and bring in
research that supports your assertions. In addition to responding
to at least two other students’ posts, it is recommended that you
reply to at least one person who responded to your original post
either by respectfully defending your conclusion or by listing
how you might implement the changes your classmate
suggested.

7. Assignment
To complete the following assignment, go to this
week's Assignment link in the left navigation.
Concept Paper Submission
The primary purpose of the Concept Paper is to obtain
instructor feedback to ensure that you are on track with the
completion of your feasibility study. The complete instructions
for the feasibility study can be found in Week Six of the online
course.
The Concept Paper is a draft version of your Final Paper with
the initial list of references. In this draft, be certain to include
and (at least) briefly address the content of the headings listed
in the Final Paper instructions for Week Six. You must include
a preliminary SWOT analysis for your chosen project. For
further assistance, please view the Feasibility Study
Template video and view the online article “Community
Assessment,” both of which include specific information on
elements of the SWOT analysis required for your final paper.
Remember, your concept paper is a draft, NOT the final
product. Submit your Concept Paper with the required headings
to your instructor by the end of this week. Be sure to review the
article, “Assessing the Feasibility, Performance of Geriatric
Clinics,” for further information as you complete your
assignment. Be certain to include your list of references with
your draft.
Writing the Feasibility Study Concept Paper
The Paper:
· Must be a minimum of three double-spaced pages in length,
excluding title and reference pages, and formatted according to
APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

8. · Must include a title page with the following:
· Title of paper
· Student’s name
· Course name and numbe
· Instructor’s name
· Date submitted
· Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct
thesis statement.
· Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
· Must include the listed headings in the Week Six feasibility
study instructions with the content required under each.
· Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
· Must list at least six scholarly sources that were published
within the last five years, including a minimum of three peer-
reviewed sources from the Ashford University Library.
· Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the
Ashford Writing Center.
· Must include a separate reference page that is formatted
according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing
Center.
Assignment 1: The Wild Frontier, Part 1
Due Week 3 and worth 70 points

9. Imagine you are the leader of the IT team at the national
headquarters for a company supplying western wear to an
international market. The owner, Sam Yosemite, tells your IT
team to provide support to four (4) new satellite offices but his
instructions are vague and incoherent. You only know that the
employees in the new offices (numbering about 20 staff for
each) will have to be self-sufficient and mirror nearly all the
applications used at headquarters, but on minimal budgets. The
satellite offices will be in operation for a combined total of 24
hours each day. Each office will operate based on its own set of
local business hours, which do not overlap among other satellite
offices. Your IT staff is solely responsible for providing support
to the satellite offices. Your boss needs to keep the costs for
licensing and support low or risk cutting into the budget for the
IT staff salaries.
Write a three to four (3-4) page proposal paper which covers the
following:
1. Differentiate between best uses of Active Directory (AD)
versus New Technology File System (NTFS) permissions.
2. Analyze how you would utilize NTFS permissions for
security and appropriate access.
3. Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of
different application server options. Be specific in your
configuration specifications.
4. Choose an application server option that best suits the needs
described by the scenario and explain why the application
server option you chose is best.
5. Determine the best way configure and deploy file server(s).
6. Determine how to configure and deploy printers.
7. Use Visio or a similar tool to depict graphically the physical
and logical layout of your plan. Note: The graphically depicted
solution is not included in the required page length.
8. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment.
Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality

10. resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
· Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size
12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references
must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your
professor for any additional instructions.
· Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the
student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the
date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in
the required assignment page length.
· Include charts or diagrams created in Excel, Visio, or one of
their equivalents such as Open Project, Dia, and OpenOffice.
The completed diagrams / charts must be imported into the
Word document before the paper is submitted.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this
assignment are:
· Explain the various types of application servers and roles.
· Demonstrate the ability to plan, deploy, and configure
application servers and file servers.
· Compare and contrast among the different types of application
servers.
· Demonstrate the ability to plan, deploy, and configure print
and fax servers.
· Use technology and information resources to research issues in
application server development.
· Write clearly and concisely about application server
development using proper writing mechanics and technical style
conventions.