AAPPO is committed to bringing you the information you need, when you need it through our broad array of resources specific to the business needs of PPOs. These resources are not readily available from any other association. Working with our research partners and industry experts, we bring PPOs, the medical community, pharmaceutical companies and health policy leaders the most reliable and current information for today’s ever-changing healthcare environment.
2010 Survey of Consumer-Directed Health Plans
A recent survey shows that enrollment in CDHPs, which includes health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) continues to grow — 27 percent in 2009. This data underscores the benefits provided to consumers when they not only choose a CDHP for their health care, but when CDHPs leverage the network of established PPOs to offer a broader, interconnected network of providers and services at more affordable prices. The hallmarks of the PPO delivery system — choice, access and flexibility — clearly are a factor in enhancing the CDHP model and promoting continued growth in CDHP enrolllments. Curious about the details?
Click here.
White Papers
AAPPO plans a series of AAPPO white papers designed to address PPO practices and the important role of PPOs in the healthcare industry. The papers will examine trends and issues to help people to learn more about the PPO industry.
Trends and Innovations in PPO Credentialing released in July 2007, provides a clear description of the provider credentialing process, and offers examples from PPO member organizations. AAPPO members use credentialing to verify the education and licensing of providers. This is a strategy to ensure quality and manage risk of PPO networks – a value added service for payers. Increasingly, PPOs are using technology to streamline the credentialing process to reduce cost and burden for payers, physicians, and PPO credentialing staff. This white paper helps both laypeople and industry experts to understand the basics of credentialing and best practices within the industry. The paper was created through an educational grant from Ingenix.
The first paper in the series, sponsored in part by Healthways, Inc. - Trends & Innovations in PPO Care Coordination - offers an up-to-date snapshot of care coordination across America's PPO delivery system and examines several approaches PPOs are using to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services.
In a study, sponsored in part by an educational grant from Caremark, Rx, Inc., AAPPO examined the growth of pay for performance (P4P) and other incentives to improve clinical performance of physicians while preserving the unique offerings of PPO networks. Study findings were published in a paper, PPO Approaches to Pay for Performance and Clinical Improvement Incentive Programs.
The study examines five PPOs in detailed case studies and highlights different incentive strategies used by PPOs to directly promote improvements in physician performance or to help build the infrastructure for measuring and improving quality. The paper also provides guidance for PPOs interested in developing a program. Click here to read AAPPO's Statement on PPO Initiative for Clinical Incentives.
Industry Link
Members have full access to AAPPO's Industry Link, your single source for comprehensive contact information and data and trends specific to the PPO industry. It includes: Outlook Connect: Market and Industry Trend Report and Contact Connect.
Other Resources
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Learn more about Medicare and Medicaid and access legislation updates, guides and research to help you learn more about the programs and how they function with PPOs.
U.S. Treasury - Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
PPOs as the primary delivery system for HSA products are providing the access, choice and flexibility to quality providers that continue to meet the demands of consumers, while strengthening the value proposition of PPOs. Learn more about the benefits of HSAs and find out how to set up an account. You can access FAQs, technical guidance and tax information to assist you in the management of your HSA.
Health Leadership Council
Learn more about key issues facing the health community and find out about the advocacy initiatives of the HLC, an organization committed to improving the affordability, innovation and quality of American health care.
Learn more about health care management accreditation and certification programs and services available from URAC and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
Find an accredited, quality healthcare provider and access valuable health information resources.
