Unit 2 Assignment – Controlling Costs Instructions: In this unit, we discussed various methods of controlling costs, as well as new ways health care organizations are working to reach their patient populations. For this assignment, consider yourself in the following scenario: Scenario: You sit on an advisory board for a large health care system. The system’s leadership has proposed adding one of the following options to their services: Telemedicine or a Retail Clinic within a local store. Respond to the following in a Word document, using headings to separate each point. Approximately two pages in length: Considering both business and patient care perspectives, which option would you endorse, and why? What research evidence supports your decision? Summarize your research findings, including in-text citations as applicable. How does this new project support cost control? What areas of concern should the health system be mindful of if pursuing this project? Provide a conclusion with your official recommendation in one paragraph.

Management Action Plan – Minimum 4 pages, APA style. You will need to prepare and submit a management action plan (MAP) addressing the specific healthcare problem “Managing third-party payer relationships in health care” ( this is the problem) Please include documentation of all six steps shown below in your submission of the MAP assignment. I. Clarify the Problem or Opportunity for Improvement (OFI) Clearly describe the problem or OFI that you have selected for your MAP. Why is it important to resolve this problem right now? What are the consequences of not resolving this problem right now? II. Clarify your Measureable Goal Clearly describe the desired outcome from your MAP implementation. What are you trying to accomplish? How will successful MAP implementation be measured and assessed? What realistic constraints do you have as you begin creation of your plan? Consider limits on time, money, and other resources that are specific to your MAP. III. Prepare a List of Possible Actions Consider possible root causes of the OFI. Why do you believe the problem exists? Brainstorm and present a list of all possible actions that you may need to take in order to achieve your MAP goal. At this stage, focus on generating as many different options and ideas as possible. It is likely that not all of your ideas will make it into your final MAP. Write down your ideas just as they come to your mind, trying not to judge or analyze them at this stage. In your brainstorming, be sure to consider ideas* involving the following:  leadership,  governance,  clinical performance,  physicians,  nurses,  clinical support services,  knowledge management,  human resources,  financial management,  internal consulting, and  marketing. *It is understood that some of these areas may not apply to your particular MAP, but all areas should at least be considered in this process. IV. Organize your Key Action Steps into a Management Action Plan Decide on the sequencing of your key action steps. For each key action step, what other steps must be completed before that specific action can be taken? Rearrange your key action steps into a sequence of ordered activity. Then, look at your plan once again. Are there any ways to simplify the plan further before presenting it? V. Accountability For each key action step, assign a responsible party or group within your organization (by position, department, or team name, not by individual name), and assign a suspense date by which the key action step must be completed. Then, based upon all of your key action steps and their suspense dates, provide a realistic completion date for the entire MAP. VI. Measurement and Monitoring Now, explain in detail how you will measure the success of your MAP following implementation and how you will monitor ongoing performance to prevent regression and loss of the positive change that has taken place.