MGMA Survey: Physician Groups Cautious about Health Insurance Exchanges

A new survey by the Medical Group Management Association finds medical group executives concerned about collections issues, as they consider the impact of the opening of health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act

Mark Hagland

Oct. 7, 2013

According to research released by the Englewood, Colo.-based Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), "Medical group practices are sounding a cautious note surrounding ACA [Affordable Care Act] exchange implementation. A week into the open enrollment period for ACA insurance exchanges, 40 percent responding physician practices reported that they are still weighing their options as to whether or not they will participate with new exchange insurance products," according to a press release issued Oct. 7. "The MGMA research includes responses from more than 1,000 medical groups in which more than 47,500 physicians practice nationwide."

Among survey respondents, the press release noted, "While a majority... see potential opportunities to provide care to an underserved patient population and replace current charity care, more than 80 percent cited concerns about the burden of patient collections on practices and low provider reimbursement rates as major barriers to their participation."

For more details, go to: http://www.mgma.com/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=1375747

MGMA is currently holding its annual conference in San Diego.

About the Author

Mark Hagland

Mark Hagland has been Editor-in-Chief since January 2010, and was a contributing editor for ten years prior to that. He has spent 30 years in healthcare publishing, covering every major area of healthcare policy, business, and strategic IT, for a wide variety of publications, as an editor, writer, and public speaker. He is the author of two books on healthcare policy and innovation, and has won numerous national awards for journalistic excellence.