Provider Network Development under the Department of Defense Coordinated CareProgram: A Methodology for Primary Care Network Development and Its Implementation in the San Antonio Service Area

摘要

The future of the Military Health Services System (MHSS) rests on the ability ofexecutive management to plan and provide comprehensive health care services required to meet the needs of the beneficiary population in the most cost efficient manner. A comprehensive managed care plan provides the framework necessary to accomplish this task. The foundation of this plan rests on the development of an appropriate and cost-efficient primary care network. This graduate management project (GMP) addresses the issue of primary care network development. One of the most important components of any managed care program is the health care providers that make-up the primary care delivery network. The development of a network must address; requirements for participating providers, adequate number and mix of providers, primary care availability, specialist availability, adequate delivery sites, emergency services, office wait times, appointment wait times, and handicapped accessibility (Boland, 1991). Managed care, Network development, Primary care managers, HMO.