title: Improve--rather than lose--your risk-taking entity.
abstract: When an HMO transfers financial risk to a provider risk-taking entity such as a physician-hospital organization (PHO), independent physician association (IPA), large medical group, or other provider contracting organization, it sometimes also transfers responsibility for administrative functions, such as claims processing. As a result, these providers risk financial problems related to medical costs, pricing, and underwriting strategies, as well as administrative efficiency. Financial managers should be aware of key indicators and processes that identify such problems to be able to take action before losses occur.
authors.affiliation: First Health Associates, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Prescott
mesh_terms: D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D005376:Financial Management; D006123:Group Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006759:Hospital-Physician Joint Ventures / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D007193:Independent Practice Associations / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D020414:Risk Sharing, Financial