Independent doctors groups see rise in responsibilities

By Ira Zunin

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 19, 2013

~~<p>Despite extensive education in science, medicine and human behavior, most physicians have never received training in how to run a business. This tends not to be problematic if they are employed. Today, however, the ability to run a successful private practice requires more than hard work, sound judgment and compassionate bedside manner. In the era of health care reform, medical practice has become more business-intensive as providers shift to electronic health records and adjust to increasingly complex financial relationships with insurance companies.</p>
<p>Historically, independent physicians associations, or IPAs, have successfully negotiated with carriers on behalf of individual practitioners. Of late, IPAs have become even more crucial, and their role is much expanded.</p>
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Despite extensive education in science, medicine and human behavior, most physicians have never received training in how to run a business. This tends not to be problematic if they are employed. Today, however, the ability to run a successful private practice requires more than hard work, sound judgment and compassionate bedside manner. In the era of health care reform, medical practice has become more business-intensive as providers shift to electronic health records and adjust to increasingly complex financial relationships with insurance companies.

Historically, independent physicians associations, or IPAs, have successfully negotiated with carriers on behalf of individual practitioners. Of late, IPAs have become even more crucial, and their role is much expanded. Login for more...