Final answer:
Super Payer is reimbursing City Endocrinologist Specialists using a capitation payment arrangement, where a set monthly fee is paid for each assigned beneficiary regardless of the amount of care provided. Endocrinologists like Dr. Ward treat complex hormonal disorders and may also participate in research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reimbursement methodology that Super Payer is using for the City Endocrinologist Specialists is known as capitation. This is a payment arrangement where a physician or group of physicians receives a set amount for each enrolled person assigned to them per period of time, whether or not that person seeks care. In the case of Dr. Ward's practice, for each of the 250 beneficiaries, they are reimbursed $450 per month to manage their endocrine care. The nature of capitation incentivizes efficient management of patient care and is often used by healthcare providers to encourage preventative health measures.
Endocrinologists, such as Dr. Ward, specialize in treating disorders of the endocrine glands, hormone systems, and in the metabolic pathways of glucose and lipids. They are responsible for the care of patients with various diseases such as diabetes mellitus, gigantism, acromegaly, goiter, Graves' disease, Cushing's disease, and Addison's disease. In addition to treating patients, endocrinologists may also engage in research to advance the understanding and treatment of these complex conditions.