Van Buren-based physician alliance has big plans

About five months ago, David Gooch and Drs. Rebecca Floyd and Stephanie Frisbee wondered about the wisdom of creating an organization in Arkansas to provide business management solutions to independent doctors.

Gooch, vice president of Independent Physicians Business Solutions, works to audit the business practices of independent doctors. He grew tired of pointing out problems and not having a follow-up solution.

“They (independent doctors) don’t often have any resources other than hoping they get the right office manager,” Gooch explained. “And then I come in, point out the problems and don’t have a solution. … So, I thought, ‘We should have some solutions.’”

The wondering resulted in the June 1 launch of the Van Buren-based Independent Physicians Alliance (IPA). The IPA is a non-profit organization that essentially serves as a clearinghouse between doctors and vendors who provide various business services.

And, according to Gooch, doctors who work outside of the support of hospitasl or clinics are eager to be part of the alliance. More than 500 doctors — with about 400 in central Arkansas — quickly joined the alliance and the alliance could soon have 1,000 doctors.

‘FIGHTING’ FOR DOCTORS
Physicians alliances aren’t new. There are several around the country. But Gooch said the IPA is not just a discount buying group. He said IPA will seek to create “hands-on relationships” with and between the doctors and vendors. The vendors — about 25, with the list soon to grow to 30 — provide services including lawn mowing, home renovation, accounting, auto and legal. Arvest, Beall Barclay & Co., SPMI and Rhodes Chevrolet are some of the vendors. Doctors pay $100 a year to join the alliance and some vendors pay a one-time fee.

The IPA Web site notes: “By working together and joining our expertise and experience, each company within the Alliance brings something essential and valuable to the table. Because of our joint affiliation, each Alliance Partner provides discounted rates to each Alliance Member in exchange for a collective customer base, purchasing discounts, and knowledge base.”

“There is no one out fighting or really looking out for the independent (doctors),” Gooch explained. “We can offer a group of proven vendors, so the doctors don’t have to listen to 30 or 40 sales reps to buy something. Doctors don’t have time for that.”

To ensure a stable of quality vendors, the IPA has a seven-member accountability board who approves vendors and adjudicates complaints with vendors.

“Each vendor has an opportunity to fix the problem. If they don’t then sure, the accountability board can fire a vendor,” Gooch said.

‘FACILITATE’ DECISIONS
Dr. Jerry Stewart, a physician since 1968 and CEO of Fort Smith-based Cooper Clinic for 10 years, said he is not familiar with IPA, but likes the concept.

“I don’t think there is any question such a service would be beneficial to a group of physicians,” Stewart said.

Stewart said doctors often need and appreciate someone who can “facilitate the decision-making process” with respect to the business of operating a medical office. That appreciation will likely grow as changes happen in the national health care sector.

“It will be really tough for any medical entity because of all the things that might presumably happen with health care. Pulling together what might be a new national health plan presents a huge unknown,” Stewart said. “So, I would think it would be a useful thing for an alliance like that to be on top of the changes that might occur.”

Changes in the health care industry, especially with federal mandates to use electronic medical records, will be an important part of the IPA, Gooch said. He said “analysis of federal rules now and rules that pop up” are covered by several IPA vendors. With respect to electronic medical records, IPA vendors will provide options to doctors, put them in touch with doctors who use various medical record platforms and give them access to watch a medical record system being used in a medical office.

WHAT’S NEXT?
Adding more doctors from the Fort Smith/Van Buren region is a short-term goal of the IPA.

Gooch will soon travel to Oklahoma to meet with a group of doctors interested in the alliance as part of a first step to expand into Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. If able to branch into those states, Gooch said, the IPA could represent more than 3,000 doctors.

Also, the IPA is working to build a similar alliance for dentists and chiropractors.

Will the IPA be a success?

“Our job is to show doctors the savings they get from vendors. That’s what we think will sell this,” Gooch said in response to the question.