2013
Interesting headline is it not? What it really says is doctors are rushing to have a lower income. Don’t believe it. Back in the 1980s doctors rushed to HMOs, especially the individual practice association (IPO) type. They did this as a defensive mechanism to protect their interests and their income. I find no reason to believe things are different now. Contrary to popular opinion these doctors in Medicare ACOs will still be paid on a fee for service basis. They will be eligible for bonus payments if they save money. Is it in their best interest to save money? Time will tell. However, faced with the threat of having ones fees cut and faced with increased pressure from insurances companies, the perception of a Accountable Care Organization may be an attractive strategy.
You might find the full article of interest. There are not many of us around these days who remember the gyrations of health care over the last fifty years. After all, at one time second opinions and pre-admission testing was going to be our salvation. I’m thinking we are entitled to a hefty amount of cynicism.
From Forbes.com
Bruce Japsen, Contributor
PHARMA & HEALTHCARE | 4/27/2013 @ 12:30PM
Doctors Rush To Obamacare’s Accountable Care Approach
Nearly one in four doctors are in or planning to link with an accountable care organization within a year, a new Medscape study shows. AFP/Getty ImagesThe number of physicians participating in the emerging medical care delivery system known as “accountable care organizations” (ACOs) has tripled as the health care industry moves further away from fee-for-service medicine.
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