I remember the call distinctly. I had just written an article for a publication titled “How to Negotiate Reimbursement Rates.” Dr. Jordan, a New York dermatologist, called and asked to speak with the author. I replied it was me, and he said, “I really need your help. I can’t survive under these reimbursement rates.” I let Dr. Jordan know I could absolutely help him and would need a few items before getting started. I begin explaining the process, and he stopped me in the middle and, in a strongly worded statement, said, “I need to meet with you immediately. In person.”
Inflation is affecting many businesses, but medical practices tend to see the brunt of its effects because of the way payment structures are dictated by insurance payers. Even more worrisome, practices have had to increase wages significantly and the current job market tends to favor employees. In some instances, employees are asking for wages 20-30% higher than previous, and understandably can command these wages as there is fierce competition for skilled employees. While these issues are affecting many businesses, there are things medical practices can do to help ease the squeezing margins.
From the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers have been reaching out to us expressing some of the most difficult decisions they have ever been faced with; Practices are struggling to keep their doors open as costs mount, and revenue has fallen significantly. Practices are faced with temporarily shutting down or closing permanently, even the ones that have seen growth and success for years. Where should we all be looking to ensure practices remain open, implement the right changes, and evolve their operations for the future?
As insurance giants continue to grow, physicians in private practices are routinely used as a cost-saving measure as they are forced to accept ever-decreasing fee schedules. Every player and participant in the healthcare system agrees that the costs are spiraling out of control faster each day, with higher costs and increased deductibles. The misnomer is that private practices are a part of the problem when really they should be one of the most important elements in decreasing costs. Private Practices provide better care and outcomes that save money in the long run, so it’s essential that they are properly compensated so they can avoid being absorbed by vastly overpaid payer owned and hospital-owned systems. Yet, Physicians are having to jump more hurdles than ever just to get paid.
Owning a medical business is like being a C.E.O., patient advocate, accountant, human resources manager, medical healer and office manager all rolled into one. One job title that most physicians put last in their ever-growing list of roles is that of retirement planner. Ensuring that you have your long term financial house in order is often neglected in favor of dealing with all the short term problems that a medical business faces. The mere act of thinking about early retirement forces physicians to look at all of their business practices and make the hard decisions that always seem to be put off in favor of the daily practice needs. Planning for the future can seem daunting, but forcing this personal and professional review is the best thing physicians and owners can do to ensure all their hard work, education, and patient care pays off.