Instructions:
In this unit you have learned about the many issues effecting the quality of healthcare in the U.S., including competition in the health care market segment. The number of mergers and acquisitions of health care entities are increasing.
For this assignment, you will create a visual representation to illustrate the impact of this integration.
Create a visual representation using either Word, PowerPoint, or similar software.
Illustrate your choice of integration (vertical or horizontal).
Using notations, define the flow of the integration process (how two entities become one).
On a separate page, using a numbered list, concisely summarize the integration process. Include how patients and providers are impacted by the integration.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In today’s healthcare industry, various issues have emerged that have impacted the quality of healthcare in the United States. One of the significant problems affecting healthcare is competition in the health care market segment. Mergers and acquisitions of healthcare entities have become common in the US, which has significantly affected the healthcare sector. In this assignment, I will explain the impact of integration in healthcare entities and create a visual representation using Word, PowerPoint, or similar software.
Answer:
Integration in healthcare entities has become prevalent in the United States, where healthcare providers seek to increase their efficiency, reduce costs, and provide better care to patients. The integration can be either vertical or horizontal. Vertical integration occurs when a healthcare entity acquires another healthcare entity operating in a different part of the healthcare delivery system. For instance, when a hospital acquires a primary care provider, the acquisition is a vertical integration. Horizontal integration occurs when two or more healthcare entities merge into one, such as when two hospitals come together.
The integration process involves several steps. First, the entities involved in the integration process must agree to work together to achieve their objectives. They then engage legal and regulatory bodies responsible for approving the merger. Approval by these bodies allows the integration process to proceed. After receiving regulatory approval, a team of experts analyzes the various processes that the integrated entity will use to deliver healthcare. The technical teams ensure that the integration process is successful and that patients are not adversely affected.
The integration process impacts providers and patients. Providers are impacted as they seek to adjust to new roles in the integrated entity. New working conditions and new employment terms may arise, which can cause uncertainty among the providers. Patients are impacted in that they may need to seek care from different providers as certain services are moved to other healthcare entities. Also, patients may suffer longer wait times due to increased demand for healthcare services as the integrated entity serves a larger population.
In conclusion, integration in healthcare entities has become a rising trend in the US, and it has a significant impact on the healthcare sector. Proper integration can lead to increased efficiency, lower costs, and better patient care. The integration process involves several steps, and both patients and providers are impacted by the integration. The visual representation of integration can be created using Word, PowerPoint, or similar software.
