Physician Leadership and Provider Partnerships

Benefit Members

By David Donovan, Independent Health

Independent Health takes great pride in our physician-led, patient-centered approach to health care. The Independent Health board of directors recently elected John Antkowiak, M.D., board chair. The appointment of Dr. Antkowiak makes Independent Health one of the few health plans in the United States with physicians in the leadership positions of president and CEO (Dr. Michael Cropp) and board chair.

With six doctors on its board, and more than 150 physicians serving on advisory committees and playing pivotal roles in establishing company policies and programs, Independent Health partners with physicians to address the most pressing needs of its members and the community.

Two examples of Independent Health's commitment to working in tandem with health care providers include Practice Excellence and the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). 

Practice Excellence gives physicians the support they need to focus on proactive care, rather than reactive treatment, for certain preventable or manageable diseases.

The PCMH pilot utilizes a team approach to assist primary care physician practices in developing systems that promote accessible, continuous and coordinated care, including enhanced health information technology, such as electronic medical records.

The physician leader's role is to ensure that the right members are on the healthcare team, have the most effective communication and a clear sense of everyone's role and responsibility in this collaborative effort.

Physician leadership with the help and resources of Independent Health connect the various services and capabilities of the entire health community to work most effectively and efficiently for our members.

2011 Community Report is now available

We continue to collaborate in the community on many initiatives and projects that address the key drivers of rising health costs.  Some of these initiatives and programs such as the Patient Centered Medical Home are highlighted in our Community Report at http://bit.ly/vg107S.