Strategic alliances. Partnerships with a purpose.

During the past few years, health care providers, managed care companies, and insurers around the country have formed a variety of strategic alliances aimed at stemming runaway costs, broadening referral bases, and generally preparing for the formal arrival of health care reform and the mandates it may carry. The list of such ventures is long and creative, and it grows as major changes in the health care delivery and financing system become more imminent. In interviews with physician executives and others whose organizations have undertaken integration efforts, the author explores some of the arrangements that are already in place or under development.