Berger, a health care financial management consultant, offers a practical, step-by-step introduction to the fundamental theories and techniques guiding financial decisions in health care organizations. The book serves as a practical guide to demonstrate how an integrated health care finance division operates on a daily basis, covering health care accounting and financial statements, billing and collections, major capital investments, costs and pricing, and budgeting and performance measurement. Readers will act as health care financial managers of a case study hospital in chapters that follow the annual flow of work, from January through December. Although the book is written from the perspective of a finance officer for a hospital, many of the other primary industry providers are also profiled in the context of the case study organization, such as a hospital-based skilled nursing facility, a home health agency, and a psychiatric unit. Chapters include learning objectives, practical tips, discussion questions, and activities. Jossey-Bass is an imprint of Wiley. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)