10 Reasons Doctros Are Pulling Their Hair Out

In the 2013-2014 era, doctors and providers are being asked to adapt to massive changes in their practices, businesses, and their modus operandi.  The stress from all these changes will be felt in the doctor-patient relationship.

Why are doctors unhappy?

1. Conversion of ICD-9 to ICD-10.  Nobody is sure of its value, but are painfully aware of the costs.  Having a code for a crash landing in a space craft would be relevant only for Sandra Bullock in Gravity!
2. Confusion created by the Affordable Care Act roll-out.  Not sure who's on first?  Who's covered? What's the fee schedule?  What are the new, complex rules?
3. High deductible insurance plans making payments at time of service mandatory.  Creating a new class of de-facto self-pay patients who formally were covered.
4. Acute or chronic reimbursement issues as? Fee for service will be replaced by outcome measurements.  What outcome measurements?  Who's measuring?
5. No relief from malpractice liability in most states.
6. Dealing with the Electronic Health record.  Did I purchase the right one?  The continuous moving target of getting meaningful use money. The accompaniment of possible claw backs if the data is not filled out correctly.
7. Hiring more help (scribes, medical assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants) to see potentially less patients.
8. Hiring more consultants to see potentially less patients.
9. Becoming the most expensive data technician in the room.
10. Fill in the blank __________________ yourself.

 

Practicing medicine is rapidly changing and providers will have to adjust to the new realities.  At what cost to the provider and patient will be determined in the future.