An HMO neonatology service. Providing care to high-risk newborns

Clinical and technological advances in the treatment of premature infants and other acutely ill newborns have resulted in widespread use of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Along with this trend is concern over the high cost of NICU services. This paper describes how an HMO established a neonatology service in order to participate more directly in the care of its member infants and control the escalating costs of NICU therapy. Two years of NICU utilization data are presented. It is concluded that establishing a neonatology service within a managed care system can improve the clinical care of member neonates and decrease NICU costs.