As Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization, Inc. (BWPO) continues to grow, the committee structure has evolved and includes a broad representation of the medical staff.
Below is a list of the BWPO’s committees as well as their charges. Chairpersons of each of the Management Committees are also listed.
Committees of the Board of Trustees
1. Executive Committee
Charge: The Executive Committee shall have, exercise and discharge the powers and duties of the Trustees, except for the powers and duties delegated to the Compensation Committee, and may act in the name of the BWPO in all matters, other than those delegated to the Compensation Committee. The Executive Committee shall not however: change the principal office of the BWPO; amend the Bylaws; change the numbers of Trustees; or elect or remove officers or Trustees.
2. Compensation Committee
Charge: The Compensation Committee shall develop and oversee compensation programs for select executives and physicians who are employed by the BWPO and shall ensure that such compensation programs are fair and reasonable. The Committee shall also assist the BWPO in developing compensation programs, which (Cont. on p.10) (Cont. from p.1) are sufficiently competitive to ensure the strength and quality of service and leadership necessary to fulfil BWPO’s mission to benefit the community by providing high quality health care, research and education. Additionally, the Committee shall assure that all compensation programs are consistent with the charitable, tax-exempt status of the BWPO, in compliance with applicable legal and ethical standards, and consistent with any policies established by Harvard Medical School (HMS) or Partners Healthcare System, Inc. (Partners).
The Compensation Committee shall review compensation and benefits, including base salary; incentive compensation and/or bonus payments; payments for other services including on-call or retroactive pay; deferred compensation awards, credits or distributions; and loan, benefit or other compensatory transactions which are not pursuant to a program approved by the Committee.
3 Nominating Committee
Charge: On an annual basis, the Nominating Committee shall nominate for the consideration of the Member at least five persons who are not physicians or employees of the BWPO and who are willing to serve as Trustees.
4 Audit and Compliance Committee
Charge: The Audit and Compliance Committee shall review any issues related to compliance with statutory and/or regulatory issues, including those related to billing, human resources, accounting and finance, and clinical operations. Additionally, the Committee shall review reports of independent auditors or other independent third parties that address the BWPO’s internal control environment. The Audit and Compliance Committee shall also oversee the implementation of and ongoing compliance with all security and privacy regulations (HIPAA). The Audit and Compliance Committee may elect to convene a Billing Compliance Subcommittee for purposes of engaging a broader group in discussions regarding billing compliance issues.
Management Committees
1. Finance Committee
Charge: The Finance Committee shall review the corporation’s financial statements, budgets, and related data, both at a corporate level and at a departmental level. The Committee may perform more detailed reviews when significant variances from established budgetary or performance targets exist. Additionally, the Committee shall review issues related to revenue cycle management (charge management, business office activities, reimbursement analysis, contract revenue distributions), general ledger accounting and reporting, accounts payable, payroll, fixed assets, budgeting, and variance reporting. Chairpersons: Steven Seltzer, MD and David Sugarbaker, MD.
2. Information Technology Committee
Charge: The Information Technology Committee shall review and consider requests and proposals related to software, hardware, technology-related licenses and contracts, wireless devices, office automation, and overall information technology infrastructure. Additionally, the Committee shall review and consider proposals related to internet, intranet, and/or extranet activities and technologies. The Committee shall also generate ideas and strategies related to the technological environment of the BWPO. Additionally, the Committee shall ensure the creation, implementation and ongoing maintenance of a disaster recovery plan.
Generally, the Committee shall review requests if the total cost (whether as a single item or a group of related items) exceeds $50,000. The President and Chief Executive Officer may elect to have the Committee review items that fall below this limit or, alternatively, may elect to approve certain items without the Committee’s review in such cases when he determines that the item is necessary and critical to the success of BWPO operations. Chairperson: Ramin Khorasani, MD.
3. Human Resources Committee
Charge: The Human Resources Committee shall review and formulate recommendations regarding a wide variety of human resources issues, including such things as non-physician compensation (excluding select executives whose compensation falls within the purview of the Compensation Committee); benefits programs and plans (design and administration); job descriptions and performance evaluation programs; reward and recognition programs; orientation, training, and development programs; employee communication; and recruitment and retention issues. Additionally, the Human Resources Committee shall oversee the ongoing development of the BWPO culture, including the establishment of BWPO values and service guidelines. Chairperson: Jo Shapiro, MD.
4. Practice Operations Committee
Charge: The Practice Operations Committee shall review and formulate recommendations regarding a wide variety of practice management issues, primarily related to the non-clinical functions that impact a patient’s outpatient experience. Such areas include telephone access, scheduling, referral management, registration, insurance verification, financial counseling, reception, rooming, checkout, test results reporting and follow-up communication. Additionally, the Committee shall review broad issues related to staffing models, space management, hours of operation, patient relations, and the patient care environment (waiting areas, exam rooms, signage, etc). Chairperson: Frannie Kronenberg, MD.
5. Contracts Committee
Charge: The Contracts Committee shall make recommendations with respect to: (a) proposed contracts between the BWPO and insurance companies, including managed care entities; (b) proposed subcontracts with physicians who are not employees of the BWPO for purposes of negotiating contracts with insurance companies, including managed care entities); and (c) the implementation of managed care contracts. Additionally, the Committee may assume an advocacy role with governmental payors. Chairperson: Andrew Sussman, MD.
6. Physician Services Committee
Charge: The Physician Services Committee shall study and formulate recommendations on a variety of issues related to physicians’ clinical responsibilities and work life, including such topics as clinical communication standards, electronic medical records, marketing and growth strategies, entrepreneurial investment opportunities, length of stay reduction projects, and worklife initiatives. Chairperson: Andrew Sussman, MD.
7. Strategic Planning Committee
Charge: The Strategic Planning Committee shall work with BWPO senior management to develop longer-range vision, strategies and plans that will allow the corporation to maintain its commitment to its established mission. Additionally, the Committee shall review senior management’s annual priority plan. Chairperson: Troyen Brennan, MD.
8. Department Administrators
Charge: The Department Administrators shall generate ideas and provide consultation on a wide variety of administrative matters. Such matters may then be funneled to senior management or to other management committees for further consideration.