Introduction
Healthcare Organization financial planning and analysis is generally required for the proper budget planning and organization of the financial flow control system. Considering the aspects of the financial status analysis, it should be emphasized that the necessity to provide the financial analysis will be closely related with the realities of the financial environment, and budgeting operation of the analyzed organization. The aims of this paper will also entail the aspects of the activity in capital projections and planning of the budget, for the further development.
Financial Analysis
The financial analysis of the healthcare organization will be based on the financial data and the supplementary data, which is aimed to add and clarify the key aspects of financial activity of the organization. Thus, the analysis will be based on the principles of financial ratio analysis matrix.
The first component of the matrix is the liquidity analysis. Thus, current ratio of the organizational financial status will be the following.
The relation between the current assets and current liabilities is required for defining the effectiveness of the financial performance of any organization. The assets often entail cash reserves, accounts and investments (including receivable bank accounts). The liabilities are the payable accounts, short term notes, debts of various origins, and taxes. Consequently, the United Health Group operated with $ 1,6 of the assets for every $1 of liability in 2008, and $1,5 for every $1 of liabilities.
The following ratio, required for the analysis is the total asset turnover. This rate should be managed properly in order to maximize the sales. Originally, the higher the total assets turnover, which a company is able to perform, the higher efficiency is applied for the general assets. Considering the values of the healthcare organizations, the total asset turnover is relevant only for the insurance activities and the matters associated with the non-preferential service of the patients. The ratio of this turnover is the following:
Similarly to the total asset turnover, the fixed-asset turnover should be identified. Originally, these numbers reveal the efficiency level in the fixed asset utilization.
Basing on these ratios, the financial status analysis will be performed.
Thus, the financial analysis of the Unitedhealth Group may be regarded as the status of a developing and reliable group, which is able to provide their independent and stable financial development.
Operation Budgeting
Operating budget is generally subjected to thorough structuring and the issues of deep financial analysis. The operational structure of any budgeting
All operating budgets for a commercial company follow this structure:
- Sale / Turnover Variable costs / used goods = Gross profit
- Gross profit Fixed costs – Depreciation – Interests = Profit
Thus, the operating budgeting of the organization reveals the constant growth of the profits, and, in the light of this perspective, it should be stated that the necessity to improve the structure of the budget will depend on the further aims of the company. As it is stated in UnitedHealth group Incorporated (18):
During a prolonged economic downturn, state and federal budgets could be adversely affected, resulting in reduced reimbursements or payments in our federal and state government health care coverage programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP. A reduction in state Medicaid reimbursement rates could be implemented retrospectively to payments already negotiated and/or received from the government and could adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.
Working Capital Projections
As for the projections in general, it should be emphasized that the entire value of the capital projection is directly stated in the financial report principles, stated in Lewis (56):
The Company calculates the estimated fair value of our reporting units using discounted cash flows. To determine fair values the Company must make assumptions about a wide variety of internal and external factors. Significant assumptions used in the impairment analysis include financial projections of free cash flow (includes significant assumptions about operations, capital requirements and income taxes), long-term growth rates for determining terminal value, and discount rates. Where available and appropriate, comparative market principles are used to corroborate the results of our discounted cash flow test.
In the light of this statement, it should be emphasized that all the working projections are closely associated with the matters of the further development of operating performance within the organization, and expansion of the medical practice. Moreover, the definition of the fair values generally depends on the matters of the proper structuring of the working projections, consequently, proper projection defines the clearness of the further developmental goals.
Capital Budget Plan
The budget planning is mainly based on the issues of a share repurchase program. The main aim of this program is to optimize the capital structure and organizational workflow of the company by means of improving the financial and budget planning. Thus, as it is stated in the report:
During 2009, the Company repurchased 74.3 million shares at an average price of approximately $24 per share and an aggregate cost of $1.8 billion. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had Board of Directors’ authorization to purchase up to an additional 28.7 million shares of its common stock. (UnitedHealth group Incorporated, 82)
Conclusion
Consequently, the financial structure of the company, as well as the analyzed financial status will be aimed at the proper implementation of the regarded program, as this would help to realize all the key plans of the UnitedHealth group.
Works Cited
Lewis, James P. Project Planning, Scheduling, and Control: A Hands-On Guide to Bringing Projects in on Time and on Budget. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001
UnitedHealth group Incorporated. Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the Fiscal Year Ended 2009. United States Securities and Exchange Commission.