Three physician executives in Massachusetts discuss how
practices can succeed under a global payment system.
President, Mount Auburn Cambridge IPA, Cambridge Mass.
The Mount Auburn Cambridge Independent Practice Association,
with nearly 500 physician members, began operating under a form of
global payments 10 years ago. Its physicians are on staff at Mount
Auburn Hospital and the Cambridge Health Alliance (Cambridge
Hospital and Somerville Hospital).
Key quote: "Focusing on quality helped get
people to accept us in their offices more. … [Physicians] accept
that we're working for them, not for the health plans, and that
we're working for their patients."
Among the issues she addresses:
- How her practice started with global payments; what physicians
learned
- The patient's experience
- Whether global payments are the "right" answer for
Massachusetts
Richard Lopez, MD
Chief Physician Executive, Atrius Health
Atrius Health is the parent company for five practice groups in
eastern Massachusetts, employing nearly 700 physicians. Its
founding practice group, Harvard Community Health Plan, was one of
the pioneers of a capitated payment system in the late 1960s.
Key quote: "You have to think about it as a
journey. It's going to take several steps to get there."
Among the issues he addresses:
- What physician groups need to be successful in a global payment
system
- The differences in delivering care in a global payment
system
- Whether global payments are the "right" answer for
Massachusetts
Read Atrius Health's six-part commentary on global payments,
"Examining Health Care: Demystifying Global Payments"
Richard Parker, MD
Medical Director, Beth Israel Deaconess Physician
Organization
Beth Israel Deaconess Physician Organization, with 1600
physician members in eastern Massachusetts, has extensive
experience delivering care under capitated arrangements.
Key quote: "Health care in the U.S. is a great
success and failure at the same time. The financial failure that's
busting the budgets of the entire economy cannot be allowed to go
on the way it is, so doctors must recognize that change must
happen."
Among the issues he addresses:
- Creating a culture that prepares a practice for global
payments
- Making a successful transition
- Alleviating patients' concerns
- Whether global payments are the "right" answer for
Massachusetts
