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HealthFirst is Vermont’s
Independent Practice Association

Discounts & Partnerships

HealthFirst

Helping Vermont Independent Medical Practices Succeed

Member Practices
Member Spotlight

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HealthFirst represents health care practitioners working at clinician-owned practices throughout the state. We are a non-profit organization helping practitioners in private practices succeed and connecting Vermonters with lower cost, high quality health care options.
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Our mission is to promote and foster the long-term success of independent healthcare practices throughout Vermont. HealthFirst offers resources, education and support to independent practices so they can continue to bring a high quality personal care option to their patients in the current healthcare climate.
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We help private practice providers stay independent

Joining HealthFirst has a significant effect on lowering overhead costs and enables practices to collaborate on issues that affect them while maintaining their independence. Take a moment to enroll online today to start benefiting from everything Health First membership offers, including outstanding medical malpractice rates, advocacy, practice manager listserv, networking events, and more! 

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Who Can Join

Our membership is open to MDs, DOs, and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) such as Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. We also welcome mental health clinicians and facilities/organizations as members.

Why Join HealthFirst

Independence

Joining our Independent Practice Association (IPA) adds your voice to those of your colleagues, which collectively strengthens our voice in Vermont. You are not required to participate in any payer or ACO contracts. We present you with opportunities, but you remain empowered to determine whether it makes sense for your practice to participate in a program through HealthFirst. You can remain a part of other ACOs, networks, or professional organizations even when you join HealthFirst.

Education

HealthFirst members keep abreast of the ever-changing healthcare landscape with HealthFirst alerts and newsletters on important legislative issues, programs, and other issues affecting independent practices. We interpret the complex deluge of information for members and distill it into salient bullet points and recommendations to help members make the best decisions for their practices.

Malpractice

HealthFirst has aligned with the Independent Physicians Insurance purchasing group. This multi-state association of independent physicians has formed a strategic alliance to negotiate with malpractice insurance carriers. The result has been a true leveraging of purchasing power to create ”a superior medical malpractice insurance program run by physicians.” Collectively, this program has saved HealthFirst members in excess of $100,000 in premiums per year. A typical practice saves more than they pay in annual HealthFirst dues.

Networking

HealthFirst links its members to other like-minded independent providers and practices. Members meet and share ideas with their independent colleagues at HealthFirst’s Annual Meetings, board meetings, and legislative events. HealthFirst also hosts a monthly virtual “coffee chat” for practice managers at member practices and a listserv that is a robust forum for practice managers to request and share information.

Advocacy

HealthFirst advocates for its members by articulating to key policy makers the important role independent medical practices play in the fabric of our health care system.

Discounts & Partnerships

HealthFirst works with a variety of vendors that provide services that medical practices need, commonly at a discount. Please visit our benefits page to see what our vendor partner offerings are.