UBM Medica's Physicians Practice - Experts Predict Volume, Not Value, Will Drive Physician Compensation in 2012

NORWALK, Conn., Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- According to UBM Medica's Physicians Practice (www.physicianspractice.com), experts in physician compensation are expressing skepticism that American healthcare providers will see significant short-term changes in the way they are paid as a result of healthcare reform.

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Reporting from the annual convention of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), Physicians Practice found that experts expect physicians will have to continue to perform more tests and procedures and see more patients to maintain their current income levels. That's likely to drive U.S. healthcare costs higher, undermining one of the key objectives of the Patient Affordability and Accountability Act, signed by President Barack Obama in 2010.

"PPACA contains several reforms designed to rein in health costs, but those are unlikely to have much effect in the short term, if ever," said Bob Keaveney, editorial director of Physicians Practice. "In the meantime, healthcare services continue to be paid for on a fee-for-service basis. Increasing volume, therefore, remains the most reliable way to increase revenue, something providers will have to do if only to offset reimbursement rate cuts by private insurers, which, our research found, continued in 2011."

Justin Chamblee, a senior consultant with Coker Group who helps devise physician compensation plans, told Physicians Practice journalists that while he's seeing more medical groups interested in adding "value-based" compensation metrics to their compensation models, these generally account for only a small portion of physician pay. "Volume will always be a huge factor in compensation," Chamblee told Physicians Practice.

Physicians Practice, America's leading publication and web site for physician practice management information, is providing full on-site coverage of MGMA11, the annual trade show of physicians, practice administrators, and others involved in managing medical offices. Physicians Practice's coverage of the event, including articles, videos, and audio podcast is now posted on Physicians Practice.

About UBM Medica

Addressing today's healthcare information needs, UBM Medica, a division of UBM plc (UBM.L), delivers strategic, integrated communications solutions and comprehensive reach—online, in print, live, and via custom programs. Improving the effectiveness of healthcare through information and education, UBM Medica provides unbiased clinical, practical, and business information for physicians, providers, payers, and patients around the world. Through journals, magazines, websites, drug databases, data services, live events, and other valuable resources, UBM Medica also delivers comprehensive communication solutions for the pharmaceutical and related industries. US websites include PsychiatricTimes.com, CancerNetwork.com, DiagnosticImaging.com, ConsultantLive.com, OBGYN.net, PhysiciansPractice.com and SearchMedica.com.  Employing more than 1,400 people with offices in 29 countries, UBM Medica is headquartered in London.  For more information, visit http://www.ubmmedica.com/.

Media contact:
Amy Erdman
Marketing Director
203-523-7041
[email protected]

SOURCE UBM Medica

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