Physician partnering: a provider network primer

The face of health care is changing daily due to pressures brought about by dissatisfied consumers, physicians, and employers. The authors of this article believe that the only way to bring about a better health care system is for physicians to take back the administration of the medical profession from the insurers. Physicians must take the financial risks necessary to innovate a medical system that will benefit themselves, their patients, and their patients' employers. This article presents the basic business concepts needed to establish physician provider networks (PPNs) as well as the benefits and pitfalls of the various types of associations into which a PPN can enter. Clearly, the future will belong to those physicians who have the foresight to invest their talents and their finances in the business aspects of managed care.