Accountable Care Organizations - Early Lessons Learned from Strong Revenue Cy...
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1. The Power of Partnership:
Doctors and Hospitals Benefit from
Management Services Organizations
a report by Keith E. Chew, CMPE, Senior Consultant
McKesson Practice Consulting Solutions, Revenue Management Solutions
As the day-to-day operation of physician Because the MSO provides an ideal Since hospitals and health systems
practices and ancillary services becomes conduit for implementing an electronic generally have the financial wherewithal
increasingly complex and costly, health record (EHR), hospitals benefit to capitalize development of a
management services organizations from MSO development by more communitywide EHR, many successful
(MSO) are emerging as ideal vehicles effectively aligning with the local MSOs are anchored by a hospital.
for addressing the needs of physician provider community and improving However, physician groups also are
groups, other service providers and continuity and quality of care. establishing MSOs. Regardless of whether
hospitals alike. the entity is organized by physicians
The EHR Platform or a hospital, MSO participation can
MSOs are partnerships that offer a range The emergence of the EHR has been include other community health
of support services to independent a primary catalyst behind the current organizations, such as imaging centers,
physician and ancillary service provider interest in MSOs. Unlike stand-alone, physical therapy centers, rehab facilities,
groups. MSOs frequently include a hospital-based EHRs developed in ambulatory surgery centers and more.
hospital ownership interest and are isolation, EHRs implemented within Ownership typically will reflect the capital
designed to assist providers with basic the framework of the MSO are more contributions of the members.
business functions like purchasing, likely to generate the critical mass of
equipment leasing, contracting and participation necessary to succeed
human resources. They can also deliver because providers will be attracted to
mission-critical services such as billing both the MSO-based EHR’s connectivity
and regulatory compliance. and its support services.