Accountable Care Readiness

Our multidisciplinary team, comprised of senior physician strategy consultants, reimbursement specialists, and data system professionals will perform an in-depth analysis of where your organization is along the integration continuum, identify gaps that would need to be addressed before you are able to make the decision to either become and ACO or partner with one, and present a projection of the investment that you would need to make, and the time required, to move from where you are to where you will need to be.

Our approach combines comprehensive interviews with key managers and physicians, a focused study of current clinical and management data systems and how they are used, a comparison of the existing management infrastructure against the capabilities that would be needed in a risk-shared environment, and our knowledge of the current thinking of what will comprise an ACO and how they will function.

At the end of this process you will have a foundation of knowledge about the risks, potential rewards and the resources that may be required in an ACO environment.

Physician Integration

Physician employment is only a step in the process of integration. Future delivery models will require hospitals, physicians, and ancillary services to function in a coordinated, collaborative, mutually beneficial environment. We can help you begin the integration process through the development of physician governance structures, facilitating “visioning sessions” and the identification of gaps that must be addressed before integration is possible.
While this is a component of ACO readiness it is often a goal in itself.

Physician Affiliation Strategy/Model Development

Employment of physicians is no longer an option. Shortages of key specialists, the increasing financial challenges of private practice, medical staff development needs, and succession planning make it critical that hospitals proactively use employment as a means to protect their ability to meet their care obligations.

What is also true is that the traditional salary model, even if productivity-based, may not be enough to attract the right physicians. Successful programs offer multiple models that can be used to move physicians toward closer ties while allowing them the ability to exert more control over their individual practice operations.

We can help develop affiliation options that you can use to build a viable physician base for today, and tomorrow.. Contact Greg Mertz to learn more.

Practice Performance Improvement

If you have decided to make major changes to the business model of your affiliated physician practices, or you are a private medical practice that needs a new outlook on reaching financial and strategic goals, consider using our experienced medical practice administration team to make needed changes, show you new approaches to current operations, and helping to recruit a permanent management team once changes are in place.

Any time your current management experiences a high level turnover you should consider it an opportunity for exploring alternatives. We can help build on previous strengths and assure continued growth.

Interim Management

If you have recently lost a key member of your senior management team, or simply need added "horsepower" to make needed functional changes to your practice program, consider using one of our seasoned professionals. We can provide the operational support you need, supported by our knowledge base gained from hundreds of other medical practices, to bridge the gap until a permanent replacement is identified and on board.

This service is especially valuable during performance improvement efforts. The experiences and skills of our Interim Managers allow them to quickly identify opportunities and recommend needed functional changes, evaluate the capabilities of mid-level management, and create a stable environment for future operations. We can also assist in the identification of qualified candidates for the ongoing leadership of your program.