Converting new antitrust guidance into action.

The "Statements of Antitrust Enforcement Policy in Healthcare" that were passed in August 1996, represent efforts by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to meet health care industry demands for more guidance regarding the application of the federal antitrust laws to the business activities of physicians and provider-sponsored organizations. This article translates the safety zone guidelines into practical language covering the basic requirements, economic integration and clinical integration, the messenger model used in non-integrated networks, and the implications for physician group practices.