Northwestern hospital, doctors eye restructuring

Northwestern Memorial Hospital and affiliated doctor groups are discussing a major restructuring to help its doctors and facilities better prepare for the health overhaul law and put the academic medical center in the nation’s top tier, according to sources and a document obtained by the Tribune.

Called “Northwestern Medicine,” the new structure being pursued is being designed to be more nimble when it comes to contracting with health insurance companies who pay the hospital and doctors as well as making business decisions when it comes to recruiting physicians or obtaining grant money, these sources said.