Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Independent Medical Practice Resources And Health Care

By Ann Meyer


Graduates from medical school often have two options, join a hospital or clinical team, or open a private practice. It should be noted that for those whom can open a private practice, it could very well be a move in the right direction. For, the association of independent medical practice resources also known as AID is currently trying to stop acquisitions, sales and take overs in the private sector.

Due to the number of independent offices which have been acquired by, or sold to equity firms and hospitals, private practices are approaching critical conditions. For, in most cases, the doctors and staff at the private practice become employees of the clinic or hospital whom acquired the facility. As such, it is a situation which is not healthy nor beneficial for doctors or staff put in this position.

Studies have shown that when this happens, health care costs often go up while quality goes down. Whereas, access to care can be limited or lost, thus leaving doctors feeling less satisfied while communities are left vulnerable to a higher rate of illness and financial difficulty. The situation has become so dire that The Association of Independent Doctors or AID, is now attempting to stop and prevent these take overs from happening in the future.

Studies by the group have shown that consolidation of health care providers has also resulted in a price increase of 20% to 40% in American Health Care Insurance premiums. In a country where many individuals can not afford health care, even through the Affordable Care Act created during the Obama administration, the association sees this as unacceptable.

AID is a national 503(c) non-profit trade association. The group was formed to raise awareness in regard to the negative impact this practice has on the American health care system. If fact, more than one author and those in the medical community have suggested that these acquisitions and consolidations have only complicated rather than eliminated issues in the field.

The association was created by two certified public accountants in 2013 whom were frustrated with the trend. After which, the association has provided a voice for doctors, medical staff and others negatively impacted whom previously had no collective voice. In addition, the association is taking to steps to slow, if not stop the trend as soon as possible.

Doctors, clients and others can discover more about AID, along with the resources and services provided by visiting the organization's website. In addition, there are a number of videos which have been placed on the site to inform individuals on steps necessary to help slow, if not stop these take overs. After which, the organization hopes new graduates as well as those whom have become employees of clinics and hospitals can either open or return to the private practice sector.

The acquisitions are destroying the lives of doctors, medical staff and others working in an area which is already in crisis. While this is the case, the association hopes to stop, if not at least slow down the trend in the near future. For, while those acquiring the private practices suggest doing so is for positive reasons, most often it is a measure to reduce competition, lower salaries and increase rates for services provided.




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