Clinical Integration Elements – FTC Actions
Elements of Clinical Integration
Identified in FTC Reviews; No Action Letters
With the release by the FTC of the Norman PHO letter, I thought it would be appropriate to summarize some of the key factors relevant to clinical integration decisions. This list is not necessarily exhaustive. Additionally, it is worth pointing out that clinical integration factors are slightly different as applied to Accountable Care Organizations. The Norman PHO letter was released about 9 months ago. It involved a physician-hospital organization that had historically operated as a messenger model contracting mechanism for its providers. The PHO wanted to implement higher levels of clinical integration and sought an opinion from the FTC as to whether its structure raised risk under the antitrust laws. The resulting opinion from the FTC is perhaps the most complete iteration to date of the various factors that the FTC considers when examining levels of clinical integration.
Clinical Integration factors include:
1. The organization is accountable for the quality and cost of services.
2. Accountability for overall care of patients.
3. Strong primary care component (sufficient to support specialty network).
4. Central governance, leadership and management of system.
5. Central clinical and administrative systems.
6. Ability to report on outcomes, quality, utilization, and clinical process.
7. Actively promotes evidence-based medicine through continual process.
8. Coordinates care across system.
9. Information technology and central data analysis.
10. Financial investment or financial risk by members.
11. Degree of exclusivity. Exclusivity begins to indicate clinical integration.
12. Joint contracting is required to meet system goals and create efficiencies.
13. Systems are in place to enforce member obligations to comply.
Factors taken from Norman PHO, Tri-State, GRIPA, MedSouth and treatises on clinical integration. Also uses factors required of ACOs as guidance although ACO requirements differ.
Random Posts
Loading…
Tags: clinical integration, clinically integrated, wisconsin clinical integration