To be or not to be: choosing your HMO and PPO

Physicians in many metropolitan areas of the United States now have the novel opportunity of joining more than one alternative delivery system(s) (ADS); they may work for several competing provider panels. Now, as the number of organizations increases, physicians participating in more than two or three ADS find their time and effort stretched increasingly thin. As with other business choices, however, there are criteria that can be used to make these decisions wise ones. The outcome of more reflective and orderly choice for the physician is an improvement in his or her effectiveness and time utilization.