How 4 Doctors Found a Healthcare Partner That Works For Them

There are many healthcare partnership models available for providers to choose from, but a physician enablement model is one of the few that equips doctors with the practice management tools, clinical collaboration, and strategic support for value-based care to excel without sacrificing autonomy.

Here are four doctors’ perspectives on the key criteria you should consider when evaluating a partner for physician enablement:

Shared Values

When assessing potential partners, first look for one with a proven track record of success and robust resources to support patient care. However, apart from results and capabilities, a partner should prove that they invest in their partnerships.

When assessing your current or potential partner, ask yourself if the organization reinvests in physicians by providing:

• A physician-focused, mutually beneficial partnership that advances the Quadruple Aim
• Clear organizational goals that prioritize and invest in providers’ well-being 
• Cultivating physician leadership with clinician-led governance and development programs

Hear Dr. Lesley discuss the impact of autonomy plus support on the doctor-patient relationship.

Flexible Model

The right physician enablement partnership should offer the customized support doctors need to practice medicine at the top of their licenses, not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each provider, practice, and community are unique. Therefore, a partner’s platform should be flexible — yet scalable and sustainable — enough to meet both primary care providers and specialists where they are. Doing so can proactively fortify them against industry headwinds.

Does the partnership model provide you with:

• An optional, integrated electronic health record (EHR) and technology platform?
• A diverse, nationwide group of clinicians from health systems and private practice, primary and specialty care, and all payment models?
• A streamlined path to private practice for employed physicians interested in becoming practice owners?

Read Dr. Fisher-Wikoff’s examination of the Quadruple Aim and diversity in healthcare.

Preserves Autonomy

Whether employed or independent, physicians deserve to have the autonomy to treat patients as they see fit. The ideal partner recognizes this and provides a suite of skills, strategies, and services that clinicians can choose from and tailor to their needs. A partner should design their organization, technology, resources, and capabilities to support — and enhance — providers’ autonomy.

Does your current or potential partner enable your autonomy with:

• Technology designed to help simplify value-based care through care gap alerts, automated annual wellness visit reminders, and data analytics?
• An integrated platform that aggregates patient data into a useful and convenient resource at the point-of-care?
• Tools designed to bolster revenue cycle management, especially coding and billing workflows?

Discover why physicians should consider a partnership before selling their practice in this op-ed by Dr. Grayson.

Expert Teams

No matter the model, a healthcare partner’s expertise should span key domains, such as regulatory policy, value-based care, practice finances and operations, contracting, and business strategy. Furthermore, it’s essential that this expert support is available where and when the providers need it, whether online, over the phone, in person, or onsite. This accessibility empowers providers with the information and support they need.

Does your partner invest in your growth by providing:

• Designated and experienced practice consultants that work one-on-one with you to help enhance your financial performance?
• Strategy-driven opportunities, such as diverse revenue streams, to help you navigate — and stay ahead of — changes in the healthcare industry
• Consistent, year-over-year success generating shared savings in value-based care programs?
   
  

Read Dr. Khan’s story of starting and growing her own practice.