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Posts Tagged ‘provider integration’

Antitrust Policies Avoiding Spillover – Clinically Integrated Networks

Monday, May 19th, 2014

Antitrust “Spillover” In Integrated Networks

Even clinically or financially integrated networks need to take affirmative steps to limit what has been labeled by enforcement agencies as “antitrust spillover.”  This term generally refers to the affect that an agreement on price within a network might have on pricing that occurs outside of the network.  It is not wise for an organization to openly debate fees among competing provider members, even if the organization is clinically integrated.  Affirmative steps should still be taken to limit distribution of sensitive fee information.

Clinically integrated networks should implement detailed antitrust policies that reduce any adverse effects on an agreement on pricing.  Ideally, specific pricing terms should be lock boxed.  Perhaps most importantly, the clinically integrated network should assure that all providers receive training on the content of the antitrust policies and general antitrust law considerations.  Training should be verified and documented in the same manner as other compliance training.

Standards for Achieving Clinical Integration – How Much Is Enough

Monday, May 19th, 2014

Clinical Integration AttorneyI am often asked to provide my opinion on the standards that must be met in order to be considered to have achieved clinical integration.  Clinical integration provides some significant benefits under the antitrust laws.  Failure to meet clinical integration standards can have some significant downsides for providers who are attempting to adapt to health care reform by establishing new organizational models to manage care.

There is no single test to determine whether an organization is clinically integrated for antitrust purposes.  The DOJ/FTC Joint Statement on Antitrust Enforcement Policy in Health Care provides some very general guidance on factors that are indicative of clinical integration.  More detailed analysis of clinical integration requirements can be found in several advisory opinions that have been issued by the FTC.  Analysis of all available resources makes it clear that there is no single formula for achieving clinical integration and each organization will be unique in the mechanisms and processes that are used to achieve required levels of collaboration and interdependence between providers.  I can sense a degree of frustration when I am unable to provide a certain answer of the precise conditions that must be in existence to meet clinical integration tests.  I believe some of the uncertainty is due to the fact that clinical integration is a system and a process rather than a static model of operation.

We are certainly able to flush out the primary elements of a clinically integrated network.  An organization that wishes to create a CIN should clearly set its objectives, define the mechanisms that it intends to create, and should develop a plan to move toward achievement of defined goals and operation of the CIN mechanisms.  Too much focus on precisely when clinical integration is achieved tends to place the emphasis on the wrong factors and assumes that clinical integration is an end in and of itself rather than a system and a process that much be created and continuously operated.  Clinical integration changes the very fabric of how health care is delivered.  It does this by reshaping the culture in which health care providers operate.  It is not something that can be achieved overnight.  Rather, it is a continual process of growth and development.

If the focus is on creation of the system and processes, the antitrust benefits will naturally flow.  Therefore, we should be cognizant of the way that clinical integration is defined under the antitrust laws as we structure clinically integrated organizations.  But we should avoid getting bogged down in questions about how much integration is enough.

 

Clinical Integration – Key Factors of Integrated Networks

Monday, May 19th, 2014

Key Clinical Integration Factors

Here are just a few of the key factors that are indicative of clinical integration.

  • Collaboration and Coordinated Care
  • Care Protocols
  • Provider Selection Criteria
  • Enforcement of Standards
  • Use of Shared Data
  • Robust Quality and Efficiency Standards
  • Provider Training
  • Continual Process

I am releasing a series of articles on various legal aspects of clinically integrated networks.  Sign up for our Newsletter or grab the RSS feed to receive notification when I publish articles in the series.

 

Antitrust Market Analysis In Provider Integration

Friday, October 4th, 2013

 Initial Antitrust Market Analysis In Provider Affiliations

antitrust integrated networksAntitrust analysis of potential integrated provider groups necessarily requires identification of the applicable market.  Market share issues cannot be addressed without first knowing the market parameters.  Market analysis has both a geographic and a product component.  In the health care area, the product component involves the specialty area of the physician or other provider involved.  The market may include a specific specialty or may be subject to expansion when there is a degree of functional overlap between specialties.

The geographic nature of the market can involve an extremely complex analysis.  From a planning perspective, it is generally most prudent to begin with the most restrictive definition of the geographic model.  If the network meets market standards based on a conservative market definition, further analysis is not required.  Geographic market definition can be expanded from the most conservative parameters as an exercise in risk assessment.  Based on the degree of market expansion, determinations can be made regarding elements of risk which will in turn help assess whether more complete market definition and analysis is required as a risk assessment tool.  The more conservative market definition is generally where regulators will begin their analysis and is a useful starting point for initial antitrust risk assessment.

Once the market is defined, there needs to be some analysis of the market share that will be represented by the combined group.  The number of physicians in the applicable market can be examined but does not necessarily lead to an accurate indication of market share in any given specialty.  The reality is that not all providers in a given specialty market are “equal” from an antitrust market share perspective.  The degree of market share between similarly qualified providers can be extensive.

Parties who are in the planning stages need to gather enough information to get some feel for market share without spending the money to engage an economist to do a full analysis.  Some cases will be clear on one side or the other.  If the initial conservative analysis does not indicate significant market share problems, the planning can move forward knowing that antitrust exposure is extremely low.  If the conservative market analysis indicates that the merger would result in significant market share, further analysis is required in order to identify and mitigate antitrust risk.

John H. Fisher

Health Care Counsel
Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C.
500 First Street, Suite 8000
P.O. Box 8050
Wausau, WI 54402-8050

Tel 715.845.4336
Fax 715.845.2718

Ruder Ware is a member of Meritas Law Firms Worldwide

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