Who will dominate HMO master contracting?

Physicians, hospitals, and payers are all forming networks that will be capable of performing the spectrum of health care services and taking the financial risk for these services. These networks will ultimately compete for the HMO master contracts to provide these services and control more of the premium dollar. Physician groups and hospitals have different strengths with respect to forming effective networks. Physicians have the advantage in establishing IPA-model networks, while hospitals have an advantage in staff-model networks.