Those in charge of healthcare medical liability insurance programs are seeking more services from third party administrators in the form of specialized services that aid in the claims administration process.
Nearly two-thirds of those responding to a recent survey indicated that they valued services from specialized third-party administrators.
The results show an evolution in thought among those using TPA services - and rising concern over the risk of medical liability.
The survey was commissioned by the PRA Services Corp. of Madison, Wis. to assess the perceived need for specialized services and was done by Applied Ph.D. Research. Some 8,000 healthcare CEOs, CFOs and risk management administrators were contacted to fill out the Web-based survey, and 359 responded. More than half of them work in healthcare organizations with more than 150 beds.
"Without tort reform, healthcare organizations, physician groups, clinics and other healthcare providers are looking to TPAs as partners to navigate through risky areas," said Charles Francis, vice president of PRA Services, a subsidiary of ProAssurance Corp.
Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of the executives who responded to the survey said claims management is a valuable service, particularly if a TPA could evaluate claims for risk exposure and liability, investigate claims and manage mediation.
Other consulting services were viewed as valuable by respondents, the survey found. Of particular interest to respondents were risk management and litigation management services.
Specialized services are important to providers who are moving outside traditional healthcare delivery roles to contract directly with purchasers, Francis said.
Such help is particularly important as providers move into new areas, accept risk or work with consumers who are taking a more active role in managing their healthcare.
"Changing market conditions over the last several years to cause providers to look at alternative ways of doing business," Francis said. "Providers are looking for a solution to help them. They are recognizing that if they don't have the capacity to do it internally, then they'll need outside help from a TPA.