A general guide to the financial integration of healthcare organizations

Hospitals, physician groups, and other healthcare organizations (HCOs) are joining together in a multitude of new ways in ever increasing numbers. This process or strategy is often called “integrating” and results in some form of integrated delivery system (IDS) or accountable health plan (AHP) if an insurance function is part of the system. Recent literature suggests that many HCOs are not meeting their integration objectives, with resulting financial and structural difficulties. One of the major causes is the failure to follow a developed plan for integration planning and implementation. Organizations in other industries often rely on written guides to help them efficiently accomplish complex projects. HCOs that use a guide such as the one suggested here should improve the chances of a successful and financially viable integration.