I have been in the healthcare field for the last 25 years and have seen the many challenges that medical practices have had to deal with. From fee for service to HMO’s to managed care and now to the Pay for Performance realm, the future for healthcare is once again showing it colors like a true chameleon.
How do physicians, healthcare providers, support staff and patients keep up with all these changes? How are practices going to provide the best of care we Americans are so used to and expect when the rules change every month? How can physicians afford to keep experienced staff to continue providing excellent care?
Challenges have faced us through the years and will continue, but with one caveat, lower reimbursement. We in healthcare are not opposed to change; as a matter of fact we welcome it. We understand that with change comes improvement and efficiencies. Usually when someone improves efficiency or saves a company money, they are rewarded with a bonus or salary increase. That does not happen in healthcare. We are expected to have these efficiencies with the least amount of staff and with the least amount of reimbursement from the insurance companies. And we have to prove it.
Pay for performance has been around for many years but is now going to be required in many aspects. What does this mean, it means more work for less money. I hope the lawmakers, insurance companies and the rulemakers open their eyes to the ramifications of instituting the many rules, regulations and validations they keep putting upon the healthcare field.
How Many Healthcare Challenges Have You Seen? What Challenges are you facing now?
Michele White
