Your provider contracts need to be carefully scrutinized for legal ramifications and to establish the "working functionality" of the contract. Your attorney, and/or state/local professional organization can provide the legal review of the proposed provider agreements. The legal review of a provider agreement is not a review of the functionality or profitability of a contract. Each time a provider negotiates a contract, he/she must consider the following:

• Cost of services provided
• An understanding of the motivating reasons providers are joining
• An understanding of the utilization restrictions
• Market share considerations
• Reimbursement and contractual adjustment considerations
• Management information systems to monitor insurance payment
• Ready access to the insurance representative

Aspen Consulting Group, Ltd. can objectively assist a provider in obtaining an understanding of the financial and utilization impact of a contract. Our experience in representing providers in the negotiation process is respected by many insurance carriers. Our negotiation expertise has benefited our clients by obtaining more favorable contracts regarding issues and reimbursement levels as exemplified by the following: