As organizations embark on transformation, a well-developed strategic plan serves as the framework for insuring planned changes contribute to reaching goals and measures of success.

Much like evidence-based medicine and clinical care pathways, there is much to gain by following a “what works” approach to network design and development. Based on years of experience studying and building effective value-based networks of physicians, HealthTeamWorks has identified 7 proven levers or drivers of change and performance.

According to Heraclitus, “The only thing that is constant is change.”

The healthcare industry has been proving this hypothesis over the past few years, and it appears there are more changes to come. Change is hard, let’s be honest. Or more accurately, change is “complex,” especially transformational change. As we move toward value-based payment models, transformational change requires intentional systemic changes to move the organization to a culture of continuous quality improvement.

Integration and coordination are the name of the game as we move into alternative payment models and regional accountability.

HealthTeamWorks is pleased to announce and welcome David Ehrenberger, MD., as Chief Medical Officer, a new role at the organization.

The rapid proliferation of free-standing ERs — 20 have opened in Colorado since 2014 — is raising concerns in the medical and healthcare insurance communities. HealthTeamWorks recently caught up with Dorien Rawlinson, the Director of Mountain States Network Management for United Healthcare, to talk about some of the current trends and issues surrounding the accelerating establishment of free-standing ERs in Colorado.