Manhasset, NY -- As the healthcare landscape in America continues to evolve, many physicians are struggling to maintain their autonomy, improve patient care, and adjust to rising challenges in today’s environment. To address some of the major issues facing private practice medical practitioners, a new entity has recently been formed.
Beacon IPA, founded in the summer of 2010, is a fast-growing Independent Practice Association (IPA) consisting of more than 100 local physicians. Through Beacon IPA, an expanding network of physicians can share costs, risks and accountability for quality of clinical care, and as a result, deliver better value to patients and providers. While many doctors consolidate by joining hospital health systems or other large groups, Beacon IPA has emerged as a viable alternative.
“The sky isn’t falling, private practice is not dead, and physicians can still maintain their independence,” says Dr. Simon E. Prince, Beacon’s president and manager, who is also the immediate past president of the medical staff society at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY. “One of the most significant functions of Beacon IPA is to exert influence on behalf of our members, negotiate contracts and partner more meaningfully with the healthcare insurers in order to meet both sides’ needs”.
Beacon has opted for a clinically integrated model of IPA, requiring its member physicians to share patient records and work together as a team to deliver high-quality care at less cost. Furthermore, electronic medical records (EMR) adopted by Beacon IPA will facilitate communication between doctors, eliminate unnecessary testing procedures, and reduce medical errors.
“We are striving to evolve into an accountable care organization (ACO) and make a difference in healthcare,” adds Dr. Prince. “ACOs have rapidly gained importance under the healthcare reform legislation introduced by President Obama. Although many questions remain about the viability of ACOs, we at Beacon embrace its philosophy. Beacon IPA is owned and operated by physicians, and we will make every doctor in our network accountable for their performance. The success of our venture will be of great benefit to all parties involved, including our patients, physicians and insurers.”
Dr. Prince hopes that the new initiative will not only empower physicians and help them maintain independent medical practice, but also enable them to increase administrative efficiency, embrace the latest technology, and deliver more value to patients.
About BIPA
Beacon IPA is a Clinically Integrated Independent Physician Association headquartered in Manhasset NY. Organized and directed by nephrologist Dr. Simon Prince, Beacon IPA provides a platform for doctors to negotiate with insurance companies in return for quality care. It was formed in an effort to help local independent private physicians to maintain their autonomy, tackle the challenges of healthcare reform, combat rising administrative costs, and deal with increased regulation. Counsel for Beacon IPA is being provided by David Manko, Esq., Chair of the Health Services Practice Group at Rivkin Radler, LLP and consulting services provided by Jonathan Goldstein, Director of Profitability Consulting at Lion & Company CPAs, LLP. For more information, please visit www.beaconipa.blogspot.com or call (516) 365-5570
About Dr. Simon E. Prince
Dr. Prince is the founder and president of North Shore Nephrology in Manhasset NY. He is the immediate past President of the Medical Staff Society at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and the recently-appointed Medical Director of the new Queens Long Island Renal Institute at Parker Jewish Geriatric Institute. Dr. Prince is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at NYU School of Medicine and a board-certified nephrologist specializing in chronic kidney disease and hypertension. For more information, please visit www.nsneph.com or call (516) 365-5570.
