FROM THE FOUNDATION

End-of-Life Choices

Trends in end-of-life care show that not only does the care given vary widely from region to region and hospital to hospital, but also patients often don't get the care they prefer. What can be done?

Care Management Puzzle

Chronic diseases and the cost of care are rising. Are disease management programs improving outcomes for patients with complex, chronic conditions?

No Middleman

Under the "direct primary care" model, patients pay a monthly fee for basic medical services. Learn about the history and current landscape of physician practices offering this arrangement.

Hospitals

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Hospital CEO Discusses Game Plan for Establishing ACOs

According to Steve Geidt -- CEO of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center, part of the MemorialCare Health System in southern California -- the move toward accountable care organizations will require new structures and cultural changes. Geidt supports setting up new hospital-physician alignments to coordinate care, but said that California health care providers could be at a disadvantage because state law bans hospitals from directly employing physicians. Instead, tax-exempt agencies can contract with physician practices to establish not-for-profit foundations that would give hospitals and physicians the opportunity to integrate care.



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