• Review the information related to horizontal and vertical integration in the Resources, including the Shi and Singh (2015) course text, journal articles, and websites.
• Research integrated health systems in your geographic area. If you find that one or more of the settings you identified for your Week 3 Assignment are part of an integrated system, you may further research the setting(s) for this Discussion. If you cannot identify integrated systems close to where you live, expand your search to include other areas in your state. If you are an international student, you may examine a specific geographic area in the United States or research two integrated health systems identified in the Resources.
• Select one vertically integrated health system and one horizontally integrated health systemon which to focus for this Discussion.
• Continue researching these two health systems, noting important information about each health system, including its size, settings/locations, and the services it provides. Investigate how the integration of each system has affected, or is expected to affect, issues related to cost, quality, and access to healthcare services in your area. Consider implications of integration for the management of the organization, as well as the patient/consumer experience along the continuum of care.
Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2015). Delivering health care in America: A systems approach (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Select and read two of the following articles in preparation for the Discussion:
• Academy Health. (2014). Research insights: Integration, concentration, and competition in the provider marketplace. Retrieved fromhttp://www.academyhealth.org/files/publications/AH_R_Integration%20FINAL2.pdf
• Baker, L. C., Bundorf, M. K., & Kessler, D. P. (2014). Vertical integration: Hospital ownership of physician practices is associated with higher prices and spending. Health Affairs, 33(5), 756-763.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Cohen, A., Klein, S., & McCarthy, D. (2014). Hill Physicians Medical Group: A market-driven approach to accountable care for commercially insured patients. The Commonwealth Fund. Retrieved from http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/case-study/2014/oct/1770_cohen_hill_physicians_aco_case_study.pdf
• Cutler, D. M., & Morton, F. S. (2013). Hospitals, market share, and consolidation. JAMA, 310(180), 1964-1970.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Sanford, K. D. (2013). Integration requires new roles and responsibilities. Healthcare Financial Management, 67(3), 56-60.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Use the following resources to learn about integrated health systems. You may find this list helpful as a starting point for identifying health systems in your area on which to focus for the Discussion.
• Rodak, S. (2013, May 15). 100 integrated health systems to know. Becker's Hospital Review.Retrieved from
http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/lists/100-integrated-health-systems-to-know.html
• Vertically Integrated Health Systems
o Cleveland Clinic. (2014). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org
o Kaiser Permanente. (2014). Kaiser Permanente. Retrieved fromhttp://kp.kaiserpermanente.org/
o Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2015). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org
o MedStar Health. (2015). MedStar Health. Retrieved from https://www.medstarhealth.org/
o Memorial Hermann. (2015). Memorial Hermann. Retrieved fromhttp://www.memorialhermann.org
Horizontally Integrated Health Systems
o Laboratory Corporation of America. (2015). LabCorp. Retrieved fromhttps://www.labcorp.com/
o National Surgical Healthcare. (2015). National Surgical Healthcare. Retrieved fromhttp://www.nshinc.com
o Pfizer Inc. (2015). Pfizer RxPathways. Retrieved from
http://www.pfizerrxpathways.com/
o Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. (2014). Quest Diagnostics. Retrieved from
http://www.questdiagnostics.com/
o SelectMark. (2015). Select Medical. Retrieved from http://www.selectmedical.com
o Sunrise Senior Living, LLC. (2015). Sunrise Senior Living. Retrieved fromhttp://www.sunriseseniorliving.com/
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2015e). Horizontal and vertical integration of health systems[Video]. Baltimore, MD: Author.