title: Dissecting the HMO-benefits managers relationship: what to measure and why.
abstract: The relationship between health maintenance organizations (HMO) and employee benefits managers (EBM) is multidimensional and complex. Relationship marketing theory is used to illustrate its role in strengthening interorganizational bonds and reducing defections to other health plans. The importance of various service dimensions in the HMO-EBM relationship can change depending on whether the measure used is overall satisfaction, overall quality, and loyalty to the HMO. By dissecting relationships in this way, HMOs can develop strategies that take multiple routes for building and maintaining strong partnerships with employee benefits managers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marketing, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Peltier
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Westfall
mesh_terms: D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014481:United States