Hospital execs switch hats--from provider to buyer of care.

What happens when hospital CEOs decide to switch hats and become purchasers of health care rather than merely providers? As employee health benefits costs continue to climb, hospital executives will be compelled to make some difficult decisions. Some benefits consultants say that in order to effectively curb costs, they will have to move from using traditional cost-containment measures to offering managed care. Hospitals may also tap into options such as encouraging use of their own facilities and promoting employee wellness.