Physicians in this model care for a specific group of people usually referred to as a panel of patients. Both the Harvard Community Health Plan and the Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound are examples of staff-model HMOs. Physicians who practice in this type of setting often compare themselves to salaried employees. Indeed, one of the major benefits of working in a staff-model HMO is that your salary is guaranteed and work hours are fairly regular. A practice administrator handles the business aspects of the practice, leaving physicians free to do what they do best, take care of patients.
Physicians also find staff-model HMOs convenient for patient care.
Many provide services that individual-physician offices could not afford to maintain, such as lab and radiology facilities and other types of diagnostic equipment. And because the physicians are employees, staff-model HMOs can exert a greater degree of control over health care delivery. Physicians may be required to follow practice guidelines and clinical protocols to manage and control utilization of health services. As a salaried employee, physicians in a staff-model HMO limit their income potential. Unlike a private practice where physicians can increase their earnings by expanding hours or increasing patient load, physicians in staff-model HMOs receive a salary in return for all clinical services they perform on behalf of patients.