National Study of Physician Organizations (NSPO3), United States, 2012-2013

The National Study of Physician Organizations was designed to improve understanding of evidence-based care management processes (CMPs) as they relate to physician organizations (POs), that is, independent practice associations (IPAs) and medical groups. This survey, the third NSPO survey of IPAs and medical groups (NSPO2), examined over 2000 physician organizations of all sizes. As in prior surveys, NSPO3 collected demographic information about the following practices and assesses: (1) use of clinical information technology; (2) use of care management processes to improve the quality of care for four chronic conditions (asthma, congestive heart failure, depression, and diabetes); (3) provision of clinical preventive services and health promotion; (4) exposure to external performance incentives such as pay for performance and public reporting; (5) payer mix, forms of compensation from health plans, and forms of compensation paid by the practice to its physicians; (6) organizational culture. In addition, NSPO3 asked about participation or intended participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).