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The Wall Street Journal reported this week on a study published by Merritt Hawkins, a major physician search and consulting firm. The study tackled two telling trends in the hospital physician profession.
The first trend is the lack of incentive for proper care in the industry. The predominant model of care is based on fee-for-service, which is a system that reimburses care for the sheer amount of "services" or procedures the doctor handles for a patient. Understandably, this model, which does not focus on quality, is not ideal. However it is widespread. According to Merritt Hawkins, 74% of jobs last year included a performance bonus. Of this set, 90% were fee-for-service.
Yet fewer than 7% of physicians are offered a bonus for meeting cost or quality standards. This focus on volume and production, the report notes, is despite the focus on quality and cost in last year's health law.
The second trend is that of merging physicians and hospitals. In 2006, 23% of physicians were affiliated with hospitals. Two years ago, the figure was 51%. Last year, it was up to 53%.
The Wall Street Journal predicts this trend will increase, as the health-care overhaul encourages "accountable care organizations" (ACOs), or medical conglomerates that are able to reach solutions in a more centralized fashion. The report notes that despite the "nationwide lull in the traditional physician recruiting market," "acquisitions and integration" have increased.
If you would like more information about how medical malpractice and accident cases work in the state of New York, I encourage you to explore my educational website. If you have legal questions, I urge you to pick up the phone and call me at 516-487-8207 or by e-mail at lawmed10@yahoo.com to answer your questions. That's what I do every day. I welcome your call.
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