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		How to Manage Your Physician Organization's Payor Relationships Under the Shadow of the FTC [Jump to Description] [Jump to Price Breakdown]
This conference was held Wednesday, October 27, 2004.
CD Rom of Conference Includes conference materials. Ships approx. 3 weeks after program. Only $99 [View Cart] [Check Out]
How to Manage Your Physician Organization's Payor Relationships Under the Shadow of the FTC A growing number of IPAs and PHOs have been stunned to learn they are the subjects of Federal Trade Commission antitrust violation investigations and charges. IPAs and PHOs in several states have been slapped with Federal Trade Commission complaints charging alleged price fixing violations. In fact, one New Mexico physicians' organization formally disbanded, following charges by the FTC that it fixed prices and restrained competition among area payors. "How to Manage Your Physician Organization's Payor Relationships Under the Shadow of the FTC," a special executive-level telebriefing sponsored by The Executive Report on Physician Organizations was held Wednesday, October 27, 2004. Existing federal antitrust laws prohibit negotiations between physicians and health plans if it poses the possibility of hindering competition between physicians, resulting in higher healthcare costs for consumers. The FTC has been paying more attention to the way IPAs do business, especially when it comes to negotiations on managed care contracts. The Agency has filed complaints against a number of physician organizations including PHOs and IPAs for alleged price-fixing violations. "The FTC is listening to HMOs (health maintenance organizations) and PPOs (preferred provider organizations) that are reporting their suspicions of IPAs doing price fixing and colluding," according to Beverly Sepulveda, president of SynerImages. "A lot of doctors are just saying, 'Well, we'll worry about it when they (the FTC) find us,'" Sepulveda said. "If they don't implement a messenger model IPA, it really exposes them to the FTC." The problem the physician organizations are encountering is that it is a core antitrust law principle that it is illegal for competitors to agree on the prices they will charge. HMOs and PPOs have been notifying the FTC if they believe an IPA or PHO is violating price fixing laws in their health plan contract negotiations. This conference helps physician organizations continue to conduct business and avoid running afoul of Federal antitrust laws. TOPICS COVERED: What steps providers can take to reduce the risk that their collective sharing of price or non-price information with payors or others might raise antitrust concerns. How to negotiate effectively and avoid a FTC complaint of collectively setting prices for physician services from payors. How to use a legitimate messenger model arrangement that can reduce contracting costs between payors and physicians without involving or facilitating coordinated responses by the physicians. Plus a live Question and Answer Session SPEAKER PANEL: Christi J. Braun, Esq., Attorney, Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Competition. As an attorney in the Health Care Division of the Federal Trade Commission, Ms. Braun is responsible for investigating alleged violations of the antitrust laws by organizations and individuals providing health care products or services, including physicians, hospitals, insurance companies, and ancillary providers. Ms. Braun has also been involved in researching and writing FTC advisory opinion letters, which provide antitrust guidance to health care practitioners. Beverly Sepulveda, President and Principal, SynerImages LLC - Founder of SynerImages LLC. Beverly possess over 20 years of healthcare and managed care experience. Ms. Sepulveda functions as Principal consultant to HMOs, hospitals, IPAs, government entities, independent physicians and affiliated companies for managed health care business strategy, State and Federal regulatory compliance, marketing services, and information system assessments WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE AUDIO CONFERENCE: Executives and leadership physicians of physician hospital organizations and independent practice associations, physician organization executive officers and board members, medical group management executives, physician practice management company executives, large physician groups, management service organizations executives, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, medical directors, medical management directors, network development directors, controllers, contract administrators, contract officers, practice managers, office managers, managed care directors, business development executives, consultants, strategic planners. "Attend" this program right in your office and enjoy significant savings – no travel time or hassle; no hotel expenses. It’s so convenient! Invite your staff members to participate. [Jump Back Up to Order Form]