As the cost of cancer treatment continues to rise for both patients and providers, independent clinicians are being forced to consolidate with larger health care systems to stay financially afloat. However, some clinicians believe this trend has negatively affected their ability to provide patients with timely, personalized care. To combat the rising costs and avoid […]
Hospitals have been on a shopping spree. In the last two years, they’ve acquired nearly 3,000 physician practices, according to new research from the Physicians Advocacy Institute. Some physicians — myself included — prefer to remain independent. We have found that only in an independent setting can we deliver the kind of patient-centered care that drew
Dr. George Dickstein: Don’t regulate independent physicians off map Read More »
Running an independent physician practice, once the norm for doctors, has become increasingly difficult. The problem isn’t medical. It’s the growing operational and financial burden independent practices face. Read the full article at Colorado Politics
Dr. Jeffrey Ferguson: How to ensure independent medical practices thrive in Colorado Read More »
As healthcare has evolved over time, so has the prevalence of private physician practices. What was once a common occurrence for patients—heading to the family-owned doctor’s office—has in many cases been replaced by the experience of seeking care at a network of physicians employed by large organizations. Read the full article at HealthLeaders
Fending Off Extinction: 3 Ways To Take Your Physician Practice Back Read More »
Corporate juggernauts are coming to dominate the U.S. health care system. UnitedHealth now employs 10 percent of all physicians in the United States. Hospitals signed up more than 58,000 new physician employees and acquired nearly 5,000 private practices between 2019 and the end of 2021. Amazon and CVS are investing heavily in adding doctors to
A new physician-led national advocacy organization seeks to empower independent medical practices during major consolidation among hospitals and payers. The American Independent Medical Practice Association (AIMPA) aims to level the playing field regarding reimbursement for independent practitioners and that of hospitals. AIMPA was launched in October of 2023 with approximately 4000 doctors and has since doubled its
Advocacy Organization President: Private Practice Is Becoming a Niche Read More »
More than 100,000 doctors have left private practice and become employees of hospitals and other corporate entities since 2019. Today, nearly three in four physicians are employees of larger health care entities or other corporations — a record high. Read the full article at STAT News
Dr. Paul Berggreen: Independent doctors like me are becoming an endangered species Read More »
For independent doctors, 2024 began with a Medicare reimbursement pay cut of 3.4%, as legislation in both the House and Senate seeks to alleviate but not eradicate the reduction. Over the past 20 years, Medicare physician pay has plummeted by 26% when adjusted for inflation, while hospital reimbursement has surged by 70%, prompting over 100,000 doctors to abandon independent
Dr. David Eagle: CMS Reimbursement Cuts Encourage Trend of Independent Physician Exodus Read More »
Paul Berggreen, MD, is the inaugural president and board chair of the new American Independent Medical Practice Association. He introduces the organization focusing on benefits of independent medical practice.
Introducing AIMPA: Meet the group of independents Read More »
Private equity-backed management services organizations (MSOs) are helping independent physician practices to remain independent.
Can private equity firms help independent physician practices keep their independence? Read More »