Ohio independent family practices to pool resources

In a first-of-its-kind organization in Ohio, five of the state's largest independent physician groups are forming a statewide collaborative to help compete with corporate hospitals and preserve small local practices (Source: “Ohio's independent doctors join forces to survive,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Aug. 5, 2015).

The Ohio Independent Collaborative formally began operations Wednesday, a first step in an attempt to reduce the costs and complications that are driving many independent medical groups out of business.

So far, members of the collaborative are all based in the northern half of the state, but its organizers hope to expand to other regions in coming months. Members will use the group to jointly purchase medical supplies, coordinate patient care and adapt to the new insurance and funding landscape created by the ACA, organizers say.