Healthcare reform may use locum doctors to fill gaps.
With healthcare reform on all practitioners' minds, there is a growing concern on how the new legislation will affect the compensation of physicians. Although some members of Congress continue to discuss the potential repeal of the new law, those in the medical industry should begin weighing their options should the reform continue as planned. It does not matter what kind of specialty a physician is involved in, as it appears that the majority of practitioners will be affected in some way by these new rules.
In a report from Becker's Orthopedic and Spine, which provides news pertaining to the business and legal issues of the orthopedic and spine practices, many spine surgeons are concerned over a number of changes that could take place through healthcare reform. One of the biggest concerns the practice is facing is the potential dramatic increase of patients due to the number of people who will be able to receive healthcare coverage under the new reform.
Another concern for spine surgeons is the decline in compensation, a similar complaint that has been echoed throughout the medical practitioner industry. The news provider reports that because Medicare reimbursements are low, other insurance providers may follow suit. Additionally, because of the lower reimbursements, more surgeons may not be able to have their own practice due to costs.
Some practitioners are finding other options to healthcare reform through locum work. While some may be turning to hospitals, others may want to begin preparing for retirement by cutting back on resources in their practice, as practitioners from all specialties are considering.
One way to do this is through locum tenens work, which a growing number of physicians are choosing to enter into in order to help ease their way into retirement. According to a study by the Physicians Foundation, 40 percent of polled physicians said that they were planning on leaving patient care within the next one to three years due to healthcare reform. Working on a needed basis through locum work could be a way for practitioners to cut back on their typical workload.
Additionally, a recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association found that 14 percent of physicians are looking to enter into locum work as a result of the healthcare reform, reports American Medical News. This was up from 8 percent in a 2008 survey.
