(212) 540-8250

Frequently Asked Questions

An IPA stands for ‘Independent Physicians Association’. An IPA is a physician organization comprised of independently practicing physicians who join together to negotiate with health plans to get rates comparable with hospitals and health systems.

The strategy behind negotiating with health plans as an IPA is based on the concept of strength in numbers; the more people join, the greater our leverage and membership will be to secure competitive rates.  

To explore the full range of benefits offered by ViaCare, please visit the Member Benefits page here on our website.

ViaCare IPA is a primary-care-focused organization that aims to connect independent physicians together for competitive contracts.

We were formed by the physicians and leadership of First MedCare, a multispecialty clinic located in Canarsie, Brooklyn. First MedCare Clinic has been serving the Brooklyn community for 20+ years.

Over that time, we noticed a decrease in independent primary care providers because of the growing cost of malpractice insurance and insurance rates that have not kept up with inflation. We want to fix that by partnering with primary care practices to offer competitive health plan contracts and supplemental reimbursement programs such as Fidelis Care and Molina Health Shared Savings. 

Our goal is to empower independent physicians, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to thrive in today’s healthcare landscape.
By joining ViaCare IPA, independent physicians gain access to a range of valuable benefits designed to support and enhance their practices:
  • Shared Savings Program: Shared Savings is a payment model in healthcare that rewards providers for reducing healthcare spending and improving patient outcomes. The money saved by providing less costly and more efficient care is shared between the insurer, provider, and the IPA.  
    • Fidelis Care Shared Savings  
    • Molina Health Shared Savings  
  • Quality Incentive Programs: A Quality Incentive Program (QIP) is designed to improve the quality of services and outcomes by providing financial incentives to service providers who meet or exceed specific performance measure targets. 
    • United Healthcare Optum Quality Incentive Program Model (QIP) 
  • Enhanced Rates: ViaCare is currently offering 90% of the prevailing CMS fee schedule for the UnitedHealthcare Optum line. The member must have a direct base agreement with UnitedHealth Optum to enroll in the enhanced rates.
    • UnitedHealthcare Optum (Medicare Advantage, DSNIP) 90% of the prevailing CMS  
  • Flexibility and Control: ViaCare operates on a messenger model, empowering members to review and choose whether to accept new contracts. 
  • Personalized Support: Engage with our 1:1 Liaison program, where each provider or medical group is assigned a dedicated account manager responsible for addressing all aspects of their business needs. This personalized support ensures that members receive tailored assistance and guidance to navigate the complexities of healthcare operations effectively. 
To learn more about the benefits of joining ViaCare IPA, visit the Member Benefits page here on our website.

Yes!

Joining ViaCare IPA allows you to maintain your status as an independent practitioner while benefiting from our organization’s collective strength and resources. 

Joining an IPA contract does not terminate a provider’s existing direct agreements with payers; it just supersedes any existing contracts while the provider participates in the IPA. 

For instance, if Dr. Smith is enrolled into a ViaCare IPA contract and ViaCare decides to terminate some or all payer contracts, Dr. Smith’s services would automatically revert to his original or direct contracted rates with Fidelis or other payers. Therefore, there’s no need for providers to re-enroll with the plans; 

they would seamlessly transition back to their original arrangements in such a scenario. 

Yes, ViaCare IPA is affiliated with First MedCare, a multispecialty medical practice in Canarsie, Brooklyn. 

The practice has been a community staple for over 30 years, serving the neighborhood with 16 primary and subspecialties, including dental and mental health services. 

To initiate the enrollment process or inquire further about membership, we encourage you to visit the Contact Us page here on our website. Or call , at 212-540-8250, Ext 218. 

We look forward to connecting with you and welcoming you to our community of independent physicians dedicated to delivering high-quality care.