1. What is Continuum Provider Partners IPA (“IPA”)?

Continuum Health Partners (CHP”), Inc.- Beth Israel Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital, Roosevelt Hospital, and New York Eye and Ear Infirmary – in collaboration with its voluntary and employed providers, is forming a joint venture for the purpose of improving the quality and efficiency of care provided to our communities and for contracting on behalf of providers and facilities with insurers and other payers for the increasing value we will provide under Clinical Integration.

2. What is Clinical Integration (“CI”)?

Clinical Integration may be broadly defined as the coordination of care across people, functions, activities, processes, and operating units to maximize the value of services delivered. A clinically integrated group of otherwise independent providers may contract together with payers if they meet certain conditions, including having a common set of clinical guidelines, a common information technology platform for sharing of clinical information, performance monitoring, and performance incentives.

3. Why should I join the IPA?

The IPA is being set up to allow the physicians, other providers, and facilities affiliated with CHP to work together on clinical initiatives that will lead to demonstrable quality and costefficiency in the delivery of care.

4. How much does it cost to join the IPA?

There will be no up-front capital requirement or membership fee requested of individual providers. The IPA will charge participants annual dues. Initially dues have been set at $250 per year, but dues may be subject to change by the IPA Board in the future.

5. Do I need to have an electronic health record (“EHR”) system in my office to join the IPA?

No. Not at this time, but you will need to have high speed internet in all offices to access the health information exchange (“HIE") used by the network to share information on patients and on performance.

6. Why is Clinical Integration better?

With CI, a comprehensive network of providers is equipped with the technology, education, and appropriate resources to demonstrate value to the market. The network has the critical mass to manage and improve quality of care for populations as well as individuals through improved access, coordinated care, improved efficiency and lower overall costs of care.

7. Can Clinical Integration impact reimbursement to providers?

Yes. The result of this demonstrated value to payers in the market often creates economic benefits to all parties that otherwise would not be lawfully permitted, such as the distribution of shared savings.

8. What clinical specialties will be needed by the CI network?

A broad spectrum of specialties is essential for a CI network to be able to contract effectively and to be successful in managing care. While any CI network will need to refer out for services not provided by its member specialists or facilities, the more inclusive the network, the better care can be coordinated through communication and sharing of responsibility across specialties and care settings.