Classifying health networks and systems: Managerial and policy implications

This article illustrates how a new approach to classifying health networks and systems can be used to evaluate the readiness of health care organizati ons to accept risk. Examples are provided from the Harris-Methodist, Henry Ford, and SSM Health Care Systems. The classification system can also be us ed to assist executives and physician leaders in making decisions involving the centralization of services, the number of different services to offer, and decisions to enter into various strategic alliances. The classificatio n system can be updated to help track the evolution of the U.S. health care system over time.