The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) forum held a 40-minute taped Google hangout with panel participants. There was a lot of heated debate about the free market between Josh Umbehr, AtlasMD and the other panelists. Kristy Hawley, former chapter president of BRI-Georgetown, was the student moderator for the online debate. Ms. Hawley was able to ask a question that alluded to the fact that all of these new alternative payment models are driving consolidation into hospitals, and that it is also difficult for independent physicians to participate in these models because the price to play is too high with the requirements.
“One criticism I have heard is that solo physicians and small groups do not have the economies of scale needed to participate in alternative payment models that require large amounts of data collection and administrative reporting. Other than providing financial incentives for providers in help them take a risk in investment, are there any proposals for how to make participation a possibility for all providers? Is there any concern that these new payment models contribute to hospital mergers and practice acquisitions which could in theory drive up costs by decreasing competition?” ~Kristy Hawley, BRI-Georgetown
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