Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is Integrated Health Collaborative, LLC?
- Integrated Health Collaborative is a physician-led, Clinically Integrated Network (CIN) in Stark and surrounding counties to provide higher quality care to patients.
- Most physicians are eligible to participate, provided they meet initial and ongoing participation criteria.
- The company is structured as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aultman Health Foundation, which is funding the initial start-up costs. This enables physicians to join without a capital outlay.
2. What is clinical integration?
- Clinical integration is the purposeful fostering of collaboration between physicians and hospitals to improve the quality and efficiency of patient-centered care.
3. Why are physicians across the country engaging in clinical integration?
- To improve the quality of care for patient populations.
- To prepare for reform as reimbursements shift from volume to value.
- To collectively develop and benchmark clinical performance and demonstrate value to key stakeholders.
4. What are the characteristics of effective clinical integration initiatives?
- Using a common IT platform via patient registry.
- Developing and implementing evidence-based processes.
- Increasing interdependence and cooperation among physicians.
- Aligning incentives with health plans and other purchasers of healthcare.
5. What does it mean to be “physician-led?”
- Eighty percent of Integrated Health Collaborative’s Board of Directors are physicians working in our community.
- The Board Chair, all Subcommittee Chairpersons, and the company President are physicians.
6. What Integrated Health Collaborative is not:
- An insurance company.
- A vehicle to employ physicians.
- A group practice.
- A Management Services Organization.
- A replacement of your medical staff obligations.
7. Is there a fee to join?
- There is no fee to join or participate.
8. What benefits are available to me as a member?
- Access to patient registry, data, and other resources to enable better care for your patients.
- Opportunity to demonstrate value and link it to reimbursement.
- Chance to influence the future and be a part of something larger.
- Resources to prepare for future reform.
- Enhance referral relationships and practice growth opportunities.
- You may still participate in other networks.
For general questions or additional information about Accountable Care Organizations, please click here or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.