As the healthcare environment changes with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act through consolidation in the market and a higher focus on value or quality, physicians need to explore additional alternatives to contract with employers and insurance companies to address their concerns of cost, quality and value. Clinically Integrated Networks can being used as a mechanism for independent physician groups and hospital employed physicians to work together to address the needs of employers and insurance companies in a compliant manner. Clinical integration may offer opportunities for unrelated physician groups, hospitals and other entities to work together to provide comprehensive coverage for an entire market and to provide a higher quality of healthcare that employers, insurers and patients will deem valuable. The following major topics related to Clinical Integration are discussed:
1. Legal Considerations
2. Federal Guidance
3. Key Components
4. A comparison of Clinical Integration to ACOs, PCMHs, PHOs and IPAs
5. Reasons to Consider Clinical Integration
6. Who benefits from Clinical Integration
7. Steps to developing a Clinically Integrated Network
