The Independent Practice Association

To the Editor.  —For the record, we would like to correct some key factual errors in the article by Dr Shenkin¹ and address some basic contradictions in his thesis.First, Shenkin claims that we at Hill Physicians Medical Group Inc (HPMG) have demanded physician exclusivity. This is not true. Shenkin, himself a provider and shareholder/ owner in HPMG, also participates in other independent practice associations (IPAs).Second, he refers to our use of one hospital, implying that we use it exclusively. We work with eight hospitals in the San Francisco East Bay Area in California. Our 1000 physicians in the East Bay Area are located throughout the region and not "centered around Oakland and San Ramon," as incorrectly reported.Third, he reports that HPMG "has not raised its basic office visit reimbursement in 9 years!" He failed to point out that HPMG has maintained fee-for-service reimbursement with no withholds