Are Small Practices Given A Rough Deal ?
Your friendly neighborhood small practice could soon belong to the hazy past. The growing regulatory and financial pressures on independent practices have made most of them gravitate towards big hospitals. Economic realities and a spate of regulatory thresholds are making small practice owners seek shelter under the relative safety of big practices.
Hurried Goodbyes…
Almost every recent stat released recently, Point to just one thing, The demise of small practices.
According to a study by Accenture only 36% of physicians will have a practice ownership stake in 2013. 87% of participants complained that sky-high operational costs were the major reason for most of them to bid goodbye, to, The independent model of working.
Acquisition of small practices is growing at an alarming rate. But will this be the remedy for struggling physicians?
Bigger Not Always Better !
Mergers and consolidations are hoped to bring about positive change. The much needed respite for small practices battling a lopsided battle. But they aren’t a foolproof solution. A recent controversy surrounding a major healthcare provider, has posed a question that nobody has an answer for. What is the future of small practices ?
A, Whole Lot Of Dust Raised…
If somebody told that the calm metropolis of Boise, would stage a fierce medical battle, It might have sounded like a joke a few years ago.
Cut to 2012 St Lukes health system, found itself in the midst of controversy.
Independent doctors complained that referrals were dropping steadily and of almost complete domination by the health system.
An Echo Of A Hundred Other Voices !
Repeatedly, large scale health systems have been in the news for dominating and pressurizing small practices to attain difficult financial goals. Everybody is blaming everybody else and very few physicians are happy with the whole set-up.
Opening New Avenues !
Experts argue that it is too early in the day to give ‘consolidations and acquisitions’ the thumbs down. The trend is still young and can lead to better care and lower costs in the long run. It can also put an end to fragmented patient care and documentation.
For Those Who Want To Remain Independent…
What about the doctor who doesn’t want to wait for a pay check every month? There is got to be a way! This is most definitely a challenging time for small practices. But with every challenge comes an opportunity to turn things around !
Operating in less populated, remote, areas that cannot accommodate huge organizations, can provide steady income and clientele. Independent practices can also Outsource Billing to contain costs. In the end what matters most is that small practices must focus on offering a distinct, tangible value for its patients.