Merit Independent Physician Association
Incorporated in 2013, Merit IPA is Savannah’s premier network of non-affiliated and independent specialists. At the conclusion of 2024, Merit IPA is comprised of over 135 physicians, representing 21 specialties from 26 individual practices. We are fortunate to be composed of the region’s highest quality and specialized providers, whose motivation is twofold: First, to improve care via better coordination between providers and, second, to reduce payer costs by avoiding duplicate care.
Furthermore, with the growth of narrow network models, continuing trends of decreasing healthcare funds, and the transition from traditional fee for service to global reimbursement models, the need for engaged providers to willingly share data, participate in score carding, and develop care coordination activities has never been higher. We believe that this kind of activity will continue as the conversation changes from fee for service to population health management. We sense an opportunity to work with the key revenue sources in new and innovative ways to improve care while reducing payer costs in mutually beneficial relationships.
We are fortunate to be composed of the region’s highest quality and specialized providers, whose motivation is twofold; First, to improve care via better coordination between providers and, second, to reduce payer costs by avoiding duplicate care. Merit IPA was also developed to provide a vehicle for advocacy at local and state levels. A platform to have an open dialogue with other providers, payers, legislative officials, and other provider-based associations for the purpose of building strength in the foundation of today’s independent provider.
“Our physicians are developing multidisciplinary, symptom-based clinics and specialty driven treatment algorithms which will be deployed in our Emergency rooms that will provide early identification and rapid triage with the goal of preventing disease progression...From our perspective, our goals are fully aligned with insurers and there is no clearer partner for the physicians. It is squarely our hope and intent, to bridge the gap with payers.”
Chris Wixon, MD, Medical Director
In March, 2015, Merit IPA's first Annual Members meeting welcomed Department of Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, Congressmen Buddy Carter, and Donald Palmisano Jr., CEO of The Medical Association of Georgia, to discuss pressing legislative issues affecting independent physicians. View The Official Press Release Here
Ralph Hudgens, Commissioner, Department of Insurance
“We will have a group of physicians from various areas around the state that will collaborate on issues that they will then bring directly to me.””
“I am a pharmacist, I have people leaving my
store in tears, and they can’t afford our drugs with unfair contracts. They have no choice; if they do not have coverage they won’t pay $40. It is horrible what is going on with closed networks.””
Buddy Carter, U.S. Congressman
Become a Member
If you would like to join Merit, fill out the form below and one of our staff members will get back to you.