Effective population health management is a top clinical and business imperative for hospitals and health systems under a value-based care delivery model. In the new healthcare era, organizations most likely to flourish are those that focus on building the partnerships and infrastructure required to advance population health management efforts, according to a recent report from Kaufman Hall.
According to the report, called "Key Considerations in Partnering for Population Health," partnerships geared toward population health management garner hospitals numerous benefits, such as one-stop shopping for patients; a robust delivery network that can serve a broad population; and expanded infrastructure and information systems that support innovative best practices and new care delivery models.
Here is an 11-item checklist of recommended considerations for partnerships to manage population health, according to Kaufman Hall.
1. Make the commitment early on to develop the competencies and infrastructure required to advance population health.
2. Acknowledge that owning or operating every component of the care continuum is probably not possible for most organizations. Partnerships will be a valuable asset, especially those with post-acute offerings.
3. Have clear goals for a partnership arrangement and specify how success will be defined and measured.
4. Define the network delivery elements that will be included in the partnership and who is responsible for each element.
5. Determine which party is responsible for functions such as population health analytics and utilization management.
6. Consider arrangements that will allow your organization to manage population health without assuming full financial risk for an insurance product.
7. Evaluate the various product offerings that are available through partnerships with insurers.
8. Determine the level of provider risk your organization desires to carry.
9. Identify the means of economic integration the partnership will offer, as well as the expected revenue model.
10. Identify the assets your organization will contribute to or invest in the partnership.
11. Determine the terms for ending the partnership.