New HCFO Grant Examines Administrative Complexity

Grant No.:	53892
Title:	Administrative Simplification Challenges and Opportunities: A Physicians Organization Perspective
Institution:	Massachusetts General Physicians Organization
PI:	Gregg S. Meyer, MD
Grant Duration:	August, 2005 - January, 2007
Awarded:	$100,315.00
E-mail:	gmeyer@partners.org
Paragraph Summary:	How does administrative complexity effect a large physician organization? The researchers are examining administrative complexity from the perspective of a large physicians organization, the Massachusetts General Physicians Organization (MGPO). They are addressing the following research questions: (1) what is the magnitude of the burden and growth trajectory of administrative complexity on physicians; (2) which components account for the greatest proportion of the burden, and which are the most amenable to change; (3) how is administrative burden reflected; (4) who currently bears the burden and how can that burden be made more transparent; (5) what components of complexity do and do not offer value; (6) what is the impact of quality, particularly pay for performance contracting; (7) which components are best addressed by information technology and what has been the impact of HIPAA standards; (8) what are the potential savings through simplification and standardized processes; and (9) what processes will facilitate addressing complexity at the physician services level? The objective of the project is to examine why market forces have increased, rather than mitigated, administrative complexity and examine whether non-market-based solutions may offer opportunities for addressing the problem.

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