Strategic Options: It's Not ACO or Nothing

4. Island

• A sole provider in a region. May be any size.
• Scope of services meets the majority of the needs of the population served and is supplemented with patient transfer agreements, tele-medicine, and coverage agreements for needed specialists
•  Strong outreach strategies and resources
•  Ability to limit out-migration by patients via meeting their needs (access, clinical skills, service)
• Ability to protect "flanks" from invasion by competitors
• Strong relationship with local community
• Financial strength to support access to capital
•  Creative in recruitment and retention of clinical staff

5. Virtual Health Organization

• Entity that contracts to support other providers. Does not own or operate a care delivery site.
• Delivers healthcare resources (e.g., physician/nurse/technician on-site staffing; remote consultative support [eICU, Nighthawk, etc.]; remote monitoring of implantable, wearable, and tabletop monitoring devices; databases via multiple modes of telecommunication connectivity)
• Thorough knowledge of "target" customers
• Strong marketing and sales capability; "retail" skills
•  Large, geographically dispersed network of resources available on an extended schedule
•  Strong network management capability ensuring rapid response/turnaround and delivery of a standardized set of services/products
•  Strong client installation/implementation, training, and service capability
•  Strong IT and telecommunications resources compatible with a diverse array of providers

6. Vantage Integrated Strategy

• Essentially, an ACO "on steroids"
• Provider, payer, or other party that assembles and coordinates a network or system that consists of providers, financial resources, and a broad array of other strategic alliances.
• Strong IT and telecommunications resources compatible with a diverse array of providers
•  Access to capital
•  Legal skills to form network relationships and manage within the regulatory guidelines
• Understanding of the businesses and the management strength necessary to integrate the operations and cultures of diverse members of the network