Aggregator entities are specialized private entities that can support physicians — especially those in private practice — in addressing the complexities of value-based care without having to make a full investment in a solutions platform, according to an August 12 blog post by the American Medical Association.
Here are three things private practice physicians and leaders should know about aggregators, according to the AMA:
1. Aggregators are referred to under numerous terms, including enablers, facilitators, contracting organizations and value-based service organizations. Their business can vary significantly, from limited-scope service agreements to full management services arrangements. They also operate under a variety of business structures, from straightforward fee structures to complex reconciliation and risk-shifting.
2. The AMA article encourages physicians to identify key questions to ask internally when evaluating potential aggregator partnerships, including:
• What are your goals in pursuing value-based care arrangements?
• Are you interested in assistance participating in a specific value-based arrangement, or are you looking for a partner to build a platform to negotiate arrangements with multiple payers?
• What is the scope of business functions you would like the aggregator to provide?
• How can you best leverage your practice’s prior experiences, including working with vendors, participating in value-based care arrangements and navigating changes to practice infrastructure?
• What documents and information should you review to understand and evaluate the business terms of value-based care arrangements?
3. If approached with rigor and intention, partnerships with aggregator entities can be fruitful for private practices, especially those that are smaller or have fewer financial resources.
A more comprehensive guide to aggregator entities can be found in the AMA’s “Business of Medicine” guide, published in March 2025.
