Johnson, Tenn.-based Ballad Health seeks to provide relief for physician practices struggling to stay afloat in challenging economic environments, especially in rural areas.
The organization utilizes a three-pronged approach to help physician practices continue growing while remaining independent, Clay Runnels, MD, chief physician executive at Ballad told Becker's.
First, Ballad provides direct employment for practices that can no longer maintain their operations and need a larger system to facilitate employment. Next, Ballad hires local hospitalists or works with academic partners to ensure that facilities can keep their hospital-based services up and running. Third, Ballad engages with private practice groups to determine what they need to maintain their independence and connects them with third-party tools to ensure these needs are met.
"Our goal is to help private practices remain independent and viable," Dr. Runnels said. "We don't want to acquire or employ every practice. Our focus is preserving access to care while ensuring physician groups can continue operating independently."