DIGITAL Marketplace for Medical and Dental Classifieds
Volume 16 Edition 2
Circulated to over 6000 Medical & Dental Professionals
The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Supports Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Medical Residency Positions The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) announces its support of the Training Tomorrow’s Doctors Today Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Aaron Schock (R-IL) and Allyson Y. Schwartz (D-PA) to address the nation’s physician workforce shortage and expand medical residency training positions in programs across the country. "In the U.S. we are facing a significant physician shortage that will only increase in severity unless action is taken soon. Every eight seconds another Baby Boomer turns 65 so it’s incumbent upon us to ensure we have a prepared physician workforce in place to meet the growing health care demands on our country," said Representative Schock. "The primary way our country can address the physician shortage is by ensuring we increase the number of Graduate Medical Education slots. By doing so, we are increasing the number of
medical school graduates who will receive hands on training in a patient setting to gain the experience needed to become a practicing physician." The Training Tomorrow’s Doctors Today Act would increase the number of Medicarefunded graduate medical education (GME) positions by 3,000 each year, totaling 15,000 additional positions over the next five years. The legislation would give priority to hospitals in states with new medical schools and emphasize training in community-based settings. It would also require hospitals to train at least 30 percent of their residents in primary care and general surgery and require greater accountability and transparency by meeting specific performance measures. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which currently is still in effect, capped the number of Medicare-funded residency positions. As Continued on page 4
Physician Turnover Hits New High as Housing and Stock Markets Recover AMGA and Cejka Search also Report Rapid Increase in Demand for Primary Care Providers As stock prices and home sales rise, physician turnover reaches the highest rate since the first year data was collected in 2005, and exceeds pre-recession levels. Medical groups reported an average turnover rate of 6.8 percent in 2012, according to the 8th annual Physician Retention Survey from Cejka Search and the American Medical Group Association (AMGA). The survey also reported turnover of 11.5 percent among advanced practice clinicians (APCs), which includes physician assistants and nurse practitioners. This is essentially unchanged from 2011, the first year APC data was collected. The 6.8 percent physician turnover rate in 2012 rose from 6.5 percent in 2011. It was significantly higher than the lowest rate of 5.9 percent reported in 2009 at the depth of the recession, and exceeded 6.4 percent reported in 2005, the first year data was collected. This increased turnover tracks with improvements in the housing market and recovery in stock prices and marks a shift from physicians delaying relocation and retirement due to depressed home and invest-
ment portfolio values. Medical groups do not expect relief in turnover in the coming year. The newly released report indicates that competition to hire and retain top performing physicians will intensify as retirement accelerates among an aging physician workforce and health reform increases the demand for primary care. "The survey findings provide evidence that recruitment and retention continue to be major challenges for health systems," stated Donald W. Fisher , Ph.D., CAE, president and chief executive officer of AMGA. "To rise to these challenges, medical groups are demonstrating remarkable leadership by investing in new staffing and delivery models, building and nurturing their teams in a strategic way, and making accountable care work for their patients and their communities." "The implementation of health care reform and changing demographics make efficient recruitment and effective retention paramount for medical groups," stated Lori Continued on page 2
Employee Healthcare: More Firms Trading with Doctors, Dentists, Pharmacies Businesses in certain areas are trading with doctors, dentists, and pharmacies in exchange for medical services for their employees. In the past, individuals have been known to reach out to their providers to strike deals. Now, as group health plans become financially prohibitive, corporations are the ones striking the trade deals with the hundreds of medical professionals available. Corporate bartering for healthcare has become more organized and more popular. To get medical services for their employees, a business sets up the TIE Healthcare Program activating a barter arrangement with Trade International Exchange (TIE). Agreeing to buy and sell specific company goods and services, these commodities are exchanged for healthcare and other needs such as plumbers, electricians, painters, ad agencies, printers, etc. Upon a firm's request, TIE will pursue healthcare providers in areas that have no formal arrangements in place. Each firm determines a suitable method to involve their participating employees/ team members. Working an extra hour or so is one way to get involved. In return for his/ her cooperation, the employee agrees to place some hourly pay into their personal TIE Healthcare Program earning a stake in the firm's corporate TIE barter account. The new member's hourly pay is then enhanced at a rate equal to the reduced cost or sale price of the items the firm barters. Participants then exchange the credits in their Program for visits to participating doctors, dentists, and pharmacies. The medical/healthcare professionals involved can use those credits for goods or services such as airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, restaurants, etc. www.tradeinternationalexchange.com It appears to be a win-win for all involved; the firm, the employees, and the healthcare pros. NOTE: Certain areas of the U.S. have poor representation between trade/barter groups and healthcare providers. Enterprising entrepreneurs are encouraged to inquire about this outstanding business opportunity. Contact info below. Trade International Exchange (TIE) Trade International Exchange (TIE) is a barter exchange network using TIE Dollars. Teamed up with over 100 Trade Companies worldwide, TIE’s Facebook page lists up-to-the minute offerings available. www.facebook. com/tradeinternationalexchange. Jerry Jennings 561-881-7318 jerry@emersongerard.com