Making payors part of total quality management

Providers can begin to work with payors by adopting a commitment to quality, by defining quality as satisfying customer requirements, and by identifying payors as customers. Cooperation is enhanced when dialogue between hospitals and payors is initiated early on in the development of new programs and procedures. This is a necessary step for discussing how to improve reimbursement and service agreements. A working partnership between provider and payor brings both quality and better value to the patient.