Cost Containment through Risk-Sharing by Primary-Care Physicians

Abstract

A new type of independent practice association has been organized to encourage primary-care physicians in private practice to become coordinators and financial managers for all medical care. Each patient chooses one internist, family or general physician or pediatrician and must be referred by that physician for all specialized care. The primary-care physician authorizes payment from his own account for all care provided to his patients. He shares any deficit or surplus remaining at the end of the year.