Performance by Design: 9 Attributes of a Successful Service Line Strategy

Over the past several years, organizing medical groups into a health system’s service line structure has been touted as a solution to many delivery challenges. Given the variability around how service line models operate in organizations, it was important to explore how service lines are structured at leading institutions across the country and to define what key attributes lead to successful models.

At AMGA Consulting, we know that organizations are structured in unique ways and the implementation of service lines can vary widely, but we sought to answer key defining questions “What are ultimately the top predictors of success?” and “Are there key aspects or components that lead to successful deployment of service line models?” To answer these questions, we interviewed seven executive leaders at prestigious but very diverse healthcare organizations that operate service line models. The insights gleaned from these organizations, which are some of the best in our industry, along with our experience consulting with health systems across the nation, led to the development of the key attributes of leading service line models.