Study finds IPA model most common HMO structure

HMOs are more likely to be organized into an independent practice association (IPA) model than into any other structure, according to data just released from "The National Directory of Managed and Integrated Care Organizations."

Approximately 49.8% of HMOs are IPAs, compared to 13.7% that are organized as network model HMOs, 12.4% organized as mixed model HMOs, 11.7% as group model HMOs, and 5.5% as staff model HMOs. The remaining percentage are some combination of the various models.

The study also found that network model HMOs are more likely to be for-profit than any other type of HMO. Approximately 75% of network/mixed model HMOs, 67% of network model HMOs, 67% of network/staff model HMOs, and 63% of network/group model HMOs are for-profit.