The Future of Independent Integrative Medical Practices.

Just as freedom isn’t free, independence isn’t always easy. The healthcare economy continues to push physicians toward employment with large practices and comprehensive health systems. For those who value the independent practice of medicine, the pressure is on especially in the integrative care space. Yes, you can buck this trend—but it requires forethought and planning. There’s a price for control of your professional destiny—taking responsibility for your practice’s financial future.
Learn more about ObtainHealth, and the small practice telehealth solution it provides.

Increasing regulation and declining reimbursement
The hard truth—the independent practice of medicine is declining, while employment is becoming a more common path for physicians. Know what you’re up against:
6% decrease in physicians with ownership stakes in medical practice from 2012 to 2016
5% increase in patient care physicians with employed positions from 2012 to 2016
5,000 independent physician practices acquired by hospitals between 2015 and 2016

For physicians who want to remain independent, it’s not just a matter of statistics; this challenge is reflected in the routine of each workday. As government regulation increases and reimbursement decreases, running a practice profitably requires more effort.
The shift to value-based reimbursement poses a major concern. Independent practices may struggle with strict, burdensome, and ever-changing federal regulations. They may lack the infrastructure needed to collect, manage, and report data.
70% of physicians say that too much paperwork and bureaucracy are the top factors contributing to their stress.
$50,000 in revenue is lost annually per physician on average because of busywork.
Healthcare is now a competitive marketplace—efficiency is everything. The right telehealth platform for your practice can point you toward a that incorporates processes and workflows to maximize efficiency.
Patients are now in the driver’s seat—solutions are available to help improve the patient experience. Telemedicine capabilities create opportunities to increase practice revenue. Tools that facilitate listing your practice on online directories and medical review sites can strengthen your marketing efforts.
You need help coping with the regulatory weight on your practice—standardized and customized reporting solutions can free up your time for patient care.

The irony of contemporary integrative medical practice is this: if you want to remain independent, don’t do it alone. ObtainHealth is the leading provider of telehealth for integrative medicine, patients seeing integrative care know about it, make sure you are found as one of their integrative care options.