Payer and provider relationships: the key to reshaping health care delivery

Though managed care is customarily thought of as the key point of connectivity for payers and providers, reshaping health care delivery requires a strong, united relationship between the two. The return to a health-related mission is a requirement of the new delivery system, which depends on moving beyond disease-based care and medical financing. In the future, community health status will be a strong indicator of success among payers and providers. Community-centered models of care for the underserved are illustrative of the opportunities for relationship building and strategic alignment between payers and providers.