Contents:

Management summary The management summary provides a predictive outlook on the hospital, physician, health plan, Medicaid, Medicare, pharmacy and employer segments in a particular MSA, including which segments are growing and how market dynamics are changing. Health systems and hospitals This section determines whether the health system and hospital market dynamics in a particular MSA are favorable, neutral or unfavorable. It gives a summary of what is happening in the hospital market and what changes are expected in the coming year. It also includes a detailed description and analysis of three or four major healthcare systems, as well as shorter descriptions of other hospitals in the market. Physicians This section determines whether the physician market dynamics in a particular MSA are favorable, neutral or unfavorable. It gives a summary of significant developments among physicians and what changes are expected in the coming year. It also offers brief profiles of some of the largest physician groups in the MSA. Health plans This section determines whether the health plan market dynamics in a particular MSA are favorable, neutral or unfavorable. It gives a summary of what is happening in the health plan market and what changes are expected in the coming year. It also profiles the major insurers in the MSA, including information about their products, enrollment and financials. In addition, this section includes a brief chart on how the two or three major insurers’ pharmacy benefits are tiered and their average co-pays. Another chart gives the top two or three HMOs’ pharmacy expenditure and what percent is spent on preferred brands and generics. Pharmacy This section determines whether the pharmaceutical industry market dynamics in a particular MSA are favorable, neutral or unfavorable. It gives a summary of why pharmaceutical sales are expected to be particularly strong or less strong, and Medicaid. It also discusses any state initiatives to reduce pharmacy spending. Medicaid This section describes the state’s Medicaid program, whether there has been recent Medicaid reform, who the Medicaid managed care players are and what challenges are facing the program. It also includes the number of Medicaid eligibles – both on an MSA and state level. Medicare This section describes the number of Medicare eligibles and the number in prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans – both on an MSA and state level. Legislature This section gives an overview of the most recent healthcare legislation, including a chart detailing bills and their status. Employers This section provides a brief overview of the employer segment and describes business coalitions focused on healthcare delivery and/or group purchasing of healthcare benefits. It determines whether healthcare market dynamics in a particular MSA are favorable, neutral or unfavorable for employers.