Integration & Physician Issues

Globalization is a major part of the business sector, and several U.S. health systems have also grown their roles internationally.

A bill currently in the Michigan legislature would allow certain advanced practice registered nurses to practice without physician supervision, according to a Cadillac News report.

Arkansas City-based South Central Kansas Medical Center is offering up to $5,000 to people who provide tips that lead to the permanent placements of clinicians at the hospital, according to a report by The Arkansas City Traveler.

Data show that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts' Alternative Quality Contract, the insurer's version of an ACO, saw "a small but significant positive effect" on pediatric care quality, according ot a study published in Pediatrics.

CMS has named 123 new accountable care organizations in its Medicare Shared Savings Program, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

Of the 100 accountable care organizations listed on Becker's Hospital Review's 2013 list of ACOs to know, 20 are headquartered in the West.

After nine accountable care organizations dropped out of the Pioneer ACO model this year, leaving the program with 23 participants, CMS is considering opening the application process to allow more organizations to join the program.

About 18 percent of hospital executives report having an accountable care organization in place, and that is expected to double by the end of 2014, according to Premier's 2013 Fall Economic Outlook.

Maintaining positive relationships with employed and independent physicians continues to be easier said than done for hospitals and health systems.

Great Neck, N.Y.-based North Shore-LIJ Health System has added Orthopaedic Associates of Great Neck, a five-physician practice, to the system.