Which of the following is NOT a service typically offered by an MSO?

The correct answer is that direct patient treatment is not a service typically offered by a Management Services Organization (MSO). MSOs are designed to provide administrative and business support services to healthcare providers, allowing those providers to focus on clinical care rather than management tasks.

Services usually offered by MSOs include group activity reporting, such as data on practice performance, which helps in decision-making and strategic planning. Human resource capabilities are also a common offering, as MSOs can assist medical practices with recruitment, staff management, and compliance with employment regulations, streamlining operations and enhancing efficiencies. Additionally, MSOs often take on the role of negotiating with health plans to secure favorable reimbursement rates for their member practices, which is a vital component of managing the financial health of the healthcare provider.

Although MSOs play a critical role in enhancing the operational aspects of healthcare practices, they do not engage directly in patient treatment. That role is reserved for the healthcare providers themselves, such as physicians and their clinical staff, who are responsible for delivering care. Thus, direct patient treatment stands out as a service not typically associated with the function of an MSO.