Vol. 6, No. 11
November 1997
Confounding the predictions of many an expert, per-member, per-month prepayment of physicians is not sweeping the nation. The reality has turned out to be more complex than the prophecy.
Between fee-for-service payment and pure capitation, health plans are developing several alternative means of paying specialists. So-called "contact capitation" is one of them.
Will global capitation be the means of reducing HMOs to the status of third-party administrators? Experts differ on that one. But they agree that capitation, in its various forms, is here to stay.
THE OREGON EXPERIENCE
It didn't take a seer to predict that states would try managed care, but only a seer today can be sure whether doctors will be able to live with Medicaid risk contracts. Oregon's example is instructive.
A report on how health plans compare on HEDIS standards provides a starting point for assessing plan quality–and raises eyebrows. Some say one shouldn't read too much into the numbers.
History has vindicated Paul Ellwood's prediction of a price- competitive market. Is the inventor of the term HMO right again in saying today's trend away from integration will be reversed?
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT
Zeneca Pharmaceuticals brought five experts together to discuss Medicare's transformation into a flexible, multi-option system. Their comments suggest Medicare's toughest days are still ahead.
Way back when, credentialing was something done only by hospitals. Now, nearly every health plan checks on every physician. Can the AMA's new program help do the job?
DEPARTMENTS
Editor's Memo 6
News and Commentary 8
Washington Initiatives 12
Compensation Monitor 18
State Initiatives 23
Employer Update 25
Ethics 85
Legal Forum 87
Managed Care Outlook 90