An organization of physicians, generally sponsored by a State or local medical association. Sometimes called a foundation for medical care. It is a separate and autonomous corporation with its own board of directors. Every physician of the medical society may apply for membership in the foundation and, upon acceptance, participate in all its activities. A foundation is concerned with the delivery of medical services at reasonable cost. It believes in the free choice of a physician and hospital by the patient, fee-for-service reimbursement and local peer review. Many foundations operate as prepaid group practices or as an individual practice association for an HMO. While these are prepaid on a capitation basis for services to some or all of their patients, they still pay their individual members on a fee-for-service basis for the services they give. Some foundations are organized only for peer review purposes or other specific functions.