Q: What can The Horizon Group do that our practice managers can't?

Our professionals offer a fresh view of operational issues without the complications of politics and history. Additionally, we can bring experiences from other clients that have already addressed some of the problems that may present. We enhance the skills and knowledge of current managers and provide added skills and resources to solve troubling problems.

Q: What is the single greatest problem with hospital-affiliated medical practices?

Volume. Typically we have found that many clinical locations were established for sound strategic reasons but that these are not always consistent with markets that produce adequate patient volumes.

Q: How can we encourage our physicians to see more patients?

The most effective way to incent physicians to build practice volume is through their compensation plan. Use of a production-based formula can offer the security of a base guarantee but also offers clear rewards for higher practice volumes. Physicians that do not choose to build their volume will receive lower compensation, just as they would in private practice.

Q: Should we get rid of our affiliated practices?

The reason that hospitals originally sought to buy or develop physician practices was and is valid. Unfortunately, the models of these affiliations weren't. The focus of current attention should be to redefine the relationship, such as the development of MSOs, and to address possible affiliation strategies for specialists.

Q: How can our hospital develop strong physician relationships that do not include employment of physicians, or the purchase of physician practices?

Our team of consultants works with hospital management to identify organizational goals. We then meet with key members of your medical community to survey their impressions of the hospital's current physician relations, and their potential interest in additional service offerings, such as Management Services Organizations (MSO). If MSO services are deemed attractive, we are able to assist in every aspect of MSO development and delivery.

In many settings where an MSO was not feasible, we have worked with client hospitals to develop other unique alternatives for developing win-win relationships with the local physicians, including the development or expansion of physician liaison programs.
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Q: How can I get more information?

Contact our Client Services Coordinator at client support@thehorizongroup.com, complete our information request form, or contact Greg Mertz, our president at gjm@thehorizongroup.com, to discuss your needs and situation. We'll be happy to offer specific ideas on how we can help, and how we've helped others.