The Chicago-based American Medical Association (AMA) has launched a new online community aimed at helping physicians improve their contracting strategies in a rapidly evolving healthcare system. The community, the Cutting-edge Contracting Group, would allow physicians, practice staff, and contract experts to connect and share tips, know-how and resources about contracting with managed care organizations.
“Commercial health insurers have long benefited from their resource advantage in contract negotiations with physicians, and a bad contract decision can have a very disruptive effect on a medical practice,” AMA President Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D., said in a statement. “The AMA stands ready with innovative tools that help physicians move forward with confidence when negotiating managed care contracts.”
Additionally, AMA’s Practice Management Center, aims to offer nuts and bolts resources towards to the needs of physicians involved in evaluating and negotiating payment options and contracts. This includes the National Managed Care Contract and its supporting database, comprehensive managed care contracting tools available to physicians.
“Managed care contracts are changing with the emergence of new payment models and integrated delivery systems,” said Dr. Lazarus. “The AMA’s new practice management resources will help physicians understand the new contract terms and achieve healthier business relationships with insurers.”
The Cutting-edge Contracting Group is the second of AMA’s online discussion communities devoted to this subject, with the Paperless Practice Group being the first in January. Physicians and practice staff in that group share best practices on automating and streamlining the medical practice.
