What it is: Empirical studies — quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods — addressing finance, accounting, economics, policy, management, or operations in health care.

Typical topics: hospital financial performance; capital investment decisions; reimbursement or regulatory impacts; cost or economic evaluations.

Word limit: 4,000–6,000 words

Abstract: Structured (Objective, Methods, Results, Conclusions), ≤250 words

Tables/Figures: Up to 6 combined

Key features: Clear research question; transparent methods; implications for finance, management, or policy.

What it is: Rigorous syntheses following an established methodology (e.g., PRISMA) with implications for practice or policy.

Typical topics: cost-containment programs; reimbursement reforms; financial metrics; health system investment trends.

Word limit: 4,000–7,000 words

Abstract: Structured, ≤250 words

Tables/Figures: Up to 6 combined

Key features: Eligibility criteria; documented search strategy; PRISMA diagram; summary tables; discussion of gaps and implications.

What it is: Analytical essays evaluating current or proposed policies affecting health care finance, accounting, reimbursement, or regulation.

Typical topics: Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement changes; price transparency reforms; financial implications of legislation.

Word limit: 3,000–5,000 words

Abstract: Unstructured, ≤200 words

Key features: Clear policy question; rigorous analysis; actionable implications.

What it is: Analyses or commentaries on capital markets, investment banking, or business strategy in health care.

Typical topics: mergers and acquisitions; private equity; valuation of R&D pipelines; capital allocation.

Word limit: 2,500–4,000 words

Abstract: Optional (≤150 words)

Key features: Clear financial/business framing; evidence-based; relevance for investors and executives.

What it is: Articles advancing research methods, measurement, modeling, or analytic strategy; may include narrative reviews.

Typical topics: cost modeling; performance measurement; risk modeling; pricing strategy.

Word limit: 4,000–7,000 words

Abstract: Structured, ≤250 words

Tables/Figures: Up to 6 combined

Key features: Clear methodological contribution; transparent approach; implications for research and practice.

What it is: Short expert viewpoints on emerging finance, policy, or management topics.

Typical topics: reimbursement models; strategic financial shifts; investment trends; commentary on JHF articles.

Word limit: 1,000–2,000 words

Abstract: Not required

Key features: Timely; focused; evidence-informed; invites reflection or debate.

What it is: Accessible, tutorial-style papers teaching key concepts in health care finance, economics, or policy.

Typical topics: reading hospital financial statements; NPV/ROI; introductions to datasets (MarketScan, CMS Cost Reports, AHRF); forecasting; budget impact modeling.

Word limit: 3,000–5,000 words

Abstract: Unstructured, ≤200 words

Tables/Figures: Up to 6

Key features: Educational focus; plain language; worked examples; well-documented code; practical teaching tools.

What it is: Real-world descriptions of financial or operational innovations.

Typical topics: revenue-cycle optimization; value-based contracting; financing partnerships; payment design innovations.

Word limit: 2,000–3,500 words

Abstract: Unstructured, ≤150 words

Key features: Practical context; clear description of innovation; measurable outcomes or lessons learned.

What it is: Short descriptive analyses highlighting trends or patterns in financial or operational datasets.

Typical topics: financial performance trends; reimbursement patterns; Medicare cost report insights; emerging datasets; pricing or investment trends.

Word limit: 1,000–1,800 words

Abstract: Unstructured, ≤150 words

Key features: Descriptive insights; 1–3 key tables or figures; minimal methods; no statistical inference required; focus on why the data matter.