Integration & Physician Issues

Coral Gables, Fla.-based Baptist Health South Florida is teaming up with the state's largest health insurer Florida Blue and Miami-based oncology group Advanced Medical Specialties to form an accountable care organization.

A recent Medscape survey of 24,000 physicians reveals that a majority feel they will lose income in an accountable care organization and that there will be no reduction in the amount of tests, procedures and treatments they will perform under…

Homer, Alaska-based South Peninsula Hospital will purchase the physician-owned Homer Medical Clinic, according to a Homer Tribune report.

Ocala, Fla.-based Munroe Regional Medical Center will bring on Ocala Surgical Associates, making the four surgeon associates employees of the hospital, according to a Star Banner report.

Becker's Hospital Review has compiled a list of 20 questions to help hospitals assess how well they align with physicians.

Physician-led Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Va., formed an accountable care organization with Hartford, Conn.-based health insurer Aetna in March 2011, and the partnership is saving money for people enrolled in the plan, according to a Roanoke Times report.

Camden, N.J.-based Lourdes Health System announced it is partnering with Sewell, N.J.-based Franklin Cardiovascular.

Two cardiology groups in Jacksonville, Fla. — Jacksonville Heart Center and the Southern Heart Group — have joined Baptist Health in Jacksonville and will form a specialty service known as Baptist Heart Specialists, according to a Florida Times-Union report.

One year after Harrisburg, Pa.-based Capital Blue Cross started an accountable care arrangement with providers, the health insurer says the new care model is working, and primary care physicians involved in the program are satisfied.

Under the Medicare Shared Savings Program, a Medicare ACO can receive payment for meeting quality metrics and reducing costs. If a Medicare ACO reduces its Medicare expenditures below a benchmark, it is eligible to receive part of the savings from…