hfm Magazine
For many U.S. hospitals, large-scale physician employment is not financially realistic, and the pursuit of a clinically integrated organization capable of joint contracting may not be welcomed by the hospital’s physician community at this time. However, the principles of accountable care will continue to proliferate across the nation’s healthcare system, and these organizations will still need to address the risk of reduced payment by finding ways to decrease costs and improve quality. This article explores three models for hospital/physician alignment: co-management arrangements, clinical joint ventures, and Professional Services Agreements with performance incentives. These models may offer the best means to prepare for payment changes under accountable care for hospitals in which large-scale physician employment is not practical.
Published July 31, 2012