Under what it is calling its Provencare program, Geisinger Health System is now offering patients what amounts to a ninety warranty on surgical care. Under the program – something like capitation and use of clinical protocols – insurers are charged a flat fee for which patients receive unlimited follow up care after surgery. Geisinger intends to control costs by developing and applying specific clinical protocols depending on the patient’s condition. So far Geisinger has only actually contracted with its own insurance unit but hopes the concept will gain in popularity.
