| What would you think about paying 15% more for | | | | in streamlining the purchasing process, by offering |
| supplies than your peers for the exact same items? | | | | various mean of ordering (fax, call or web orders) and |
| Or what about adding staff (and therefore | | | | allowing practices to work with one or multiple |
| administrative expenses) to negotiate contracts on | | | | distributors, depending on individual preference. |
| your behalf, only to find out that your colleagues have | | | | |
| someone negotiating for them – and doing it for | | | | If experience with GPOs has eluded you up to this |
| free. Well, if you have failed to explore the benefits | | | | point, take a closer look. Over 600 GPOs exist, all |
| of group purchasing organizations (or GPOs) for your | | | | with different benefits and options. And just because |
| practice or stand-alone surgical center, it’s time to | | | | you’ve seen one, doesn’t mean you’ve |
| listen up. | | | | seen them all. As a GPO member, you remain in |
| | | | | control of the ultimate purchase decision. GPOs |
| In a word, it’s all about leverage. Group | | | | simply negotiate contracts for discounted medical |
| purchasing organizations aggregate purchasing volume | | | | supplies; they do not directly handle purchasing or |
| and negotiate contracts on behalf of members, | | | | supply chain management. However, in many cases, |
| thereby lending a voice to smaller clients and balancing | | | | GPOs provide cost-avoidance savings to providers by |
| the power equation between vendors and buyers. | | | | helping to standardize and streamline their purchasing. |
| Nearly 100% of hospitals in the US utilize GPOs, and | | | | |
| many use more than one to help streamline their | | | | For more information about the Group Purchasing |
| purchases. First established in the early 20th century, | | | | Alliance, visit |
| GPOs are nothing new, but their importance and their | | | | |
| impact on the bottom line have grown over the last | | | | |
| two decades as a direct resulting of shrinking | | | | Vendor Review |
| reimbursements and skyrocketing medical costs. | | | | Leverage. Isn’t that what every medical office |
| | | | | wants when it comes to purchasing medical supplies |
| In an on-going effort to provide reliable and useful cost | | | | and office equipment? When you’re a small fish |
| saving solutions to members, HNA is highlighting the | | | | in a big pond, it’s good to have someone on your |
| Group Purchasing Alliance or GPA. GPA has | | | | side. |
| secured contracts that cater specifically to physicians | | | | |
| and non-hospital facilities across the nation. Through | | | | In an effort to continually highlight cost saving |
| these superb national contracts with manufacturers | | | | measures for physician members, HNA brings you |
| and distributors of healthcare supplies, office supplies, | | | | information from the Group Purchasing Alliance (or |
| and medical technology providers GPA extends to | | | | GPA) - a growing group purchasing organization |
| doctors a 15% to 55% savings on most of the supplies | | | | serving physicians and non-hospital facilities across the |
| and technology solutions they offer. | | | | United States. |
| | | | | |
| GPA offers benefits that will be music to your ears. | | | | GPA has developed a formulary (or basket of goods) |
| Namely: | | | | catering specifically to stand-alone surgical facilities, |
| - No fee to join | | | | physicians and non-hospital facilities that offers top of |
| - No minimum order requirements | | | | the line products and services. By designing a |
| - No annual dues | | | | system that allows members direct access to |
| | | | | vendors and partners, as well as the ability to order |
| As with other group purchasing organizations, GPA | | | | products directly from distributors, GPA has |
| utilizes the expertise of a panel of clinicians to establish | | | | streamlined the process for ordering and obtaining |
| their formulary (or basket of goods). They also assist | | | | medical office supplies. |