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Research Outline

Prepared for Carter B. | Delivered September 28, 2019

Physician-led Medical Groups

Goals

To understand the competitive landscape for partnerships between large healthcare systems and physician-led medical groups in North Carolina (Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Raleigh, or Durham) by identifying the top 10-15 such groups.

Early Findings

  • Some of the physician-led groups in North Carolina include FirstHealth Physician Group, and Apogee Physicians.
  • In 2018, PatientPing, a health technology company, announced its partnership with Eagle Physicians & Associations; a physician-owned and physician-led multispecialty medical group with 14 locations throughout North Carolina.
  • In January 2019, LifePoint Health announced new partnerships with home health service providers in Hickory Hickory, N.C., and Danville, Va.
  • In 2016, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare formed accountable care partnerships with several major medical groups in the state. Aetna established an accountable care organization with Duke Health in Durham, and WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh.
  • Partnerships between physician groups and hospital systems have become common under the current healthcare environment.
  • According to experts, strategic alliances are necessary to continue the growth of practices, and also for private practices to remain autonomous.
  • According to industry thought leaders, it is critical for independent physician groups to find the right strategic partners to help them achieve their long-term goals and maintain market relevance within their areas of operations.
  •  Partnerships and affiliations with market-area independent physician groups are popular today even as hospitals and health systems view the same as opportunities to strengthen their continuum-of-care capabilities, grow their patient capture and volumes, enhance their overall competitive positions, and provide better care to the communities they serve.