An integrated delivery systems review: common problems to be addressed

The most critical element in developing a successful IDS is identifying the needs and goals of the parties within the context of the realities of their local health care market. It is therefore unwise to select the structure of a proposed IDS until this process has been completed. An honest goals assessment might result in the immediate formation of a PHO, MSO, medical foundation or other formal IDS, or might alternatively point in the direction of something much less structured, such as a joint marketing contractual arrangement (sometimes called a "PHA"), which can be relatively inexpensive to implement and can provide a fairly immediate response to quickly changing market conditions. Some organizations might even decide to utilize a number of different IDS vehicles in order to offer physicians a menu of affiliation options. The legal issues that arise when forming an IDS can almost always be dealt with in a reasonable manner. The real key to success is entering into integration discussions with an open mind, rather than a preconceived commitment to a particular integration.