An integrated delivery system (IDS) is best described as what?

An integrated delivery system (IDS) is best described as a network of organizations providing coordinated services. This type of system is designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery by ensuring that various services—such as primary care, specialty care, hospitals, and ancillary services—are linked together intentionally and strategically.

By coordinating care across these different entities, an IDS aims to optimize patient outcomes and improve the population's health management. The integration can happen through shared electronic health records, collaborative care teams, and standardization of procedures, which ultimately leads to a more seamless patient experience and reduces duplicate services.

In contrast, the other options do not adequately capture the essence of an IDS. A single healthcare provider suggests a more isolated system that lacks the collaborative network aspect. A decentralized healthcare model typically refers to a system where decision-making and service delivery are spread out, which runs counter to the coordinated nature of an IDS. Lastly, a private insurance network is not focused on direct patient care but rather on the insurance aspect of healthcare, further distancing it from the definition of integrated delivery systems that emphasize service coordination.