Recapture the joy of practicing medicine!

Why isn't being a doctor fun anymore? 

  • Medicare is threatening very deep cuts in reimbursements.
  • Most physicians compensate by working harder; seeing more patients in less time and working longer hours.  From 1999-2003, primary care physicians saw 34% more patients while their compensation rose less than the rate of inflation. 1
  • Excellence in Primary Care is difficult to provide in this environment.  We are less able to actually think about the problems our patients are having, and there is little time for patient education.   We cannot provide a true medical home as we should.

What is the result?

The reimbursement rates and cost of getting reimbursed have increased so much that some insurers fail to cover our overhead costs.
  • Physicians are getting out of patient care.
  • Physicians are changing careers.
  • Physicians are burning out.
  • Physicians are losing their families.
  • Our health is suffering.
  • Physicians are discouraging young people from choosing a career in medicine.
  • Primary care is no longer desirable to bright young medical students.
  • With aging baby boomers, our country is in trouble!

 Change is needed

  • You think you are working for your patient, but who determines how much you get paid and who writes your paycheck?  Insurance payers and the government are.  The problem is that we work for the wrong employer.  We need to be paid by our patients and patients are willing to do it.  They want someone they can call my doctor .
  • In a direct practice you will truly be able to offer your patients a medical home where you can be their quarterback and their advocate.

 Envision a practice where you can:

  • Practice preventive medicine as you were trained in residency.
  • Teach your patients their role in caring for themselves.
  • Research complicated cases.
  • Handle some problems over the phone to save your patients unnecessary office visits.
  • Occasionally do home visits.

 Direct practices will work in almost all markets

  • Each practice is a fingerprint.  The market will determine the price structures possible in a given location.  The physician's personality will determine how it runs.  The common denominator is that we all work for our patients.
  • Some physicians will limit their practices to 300 patients and be able to offer maximum amenities.  Others will charge less and take 800-1000 patients, utilizing the help of PAs and NP.  They offer less amenities, but are still are able to provide more personalized care.

Join SIMPD and learn how to implement your direct practice.  We can provide many of the tools needed to do it.  Start by coming to our annual conference May 4-6, 2008 which includes a full day seminar on How to Start a Direct Practice.  You should attend and begin to learn, even if you are only in the contemplation stage.  Fire your insurance payers, work for your patients, and recapture your career!

 Resource

1 Primary Care Physicians are Caught in Productivity Squeeze, American Medical News, 20 Sep 2004, 47(35):1

 

If you want to meet other physicians who are considering the move, or you want to find out how to do it yourself, come to our next conference and find out how it is done. If you want to know more about our organization, call: 877.448.6009 or email us at: info@SIMPD.org