This article is part of a series:
Medical practices and the delivery of healthcare are adapting to accommodate current and imminent changes in the patient population, the health coverage available to the patient population, and reimbursement models resulting from the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The ACA’s creation of a dramatic and possibly overwhelming influx of new patients with access to healthcare is one of the base forces causing physicians to adapt their healthcare practice models. The Congressional Budget Office reported to Congress in March 2010 that the estimated effects of the Insurance Coverage provisions of the Reconciliation Proposal combined with H.R. 3590 as passed by the Senate will be the creation of approximately 25 million newly insured Americans seeking healthcare by 2015…and this number will grow to 35 million by 2019.
This newly created patient population will have healthcare coverage with mandated benefits providing them access to a broader range of healthcare services than previously insured patients. These mandated benefits include:
- Ambulatory patient services
- ER services
- Hospitalization
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health and Substance abuse services
- Prescription drug benefits
- Rehabilitation and habilitation services and devices
- Pediatric services (including oral and vision care)
- Preventative and wellness services, and Chronic disease management
As this flood of new patients seek healthcare, the same population of practicing physicians will surely search for ways to adapt their practice models to accommodate the increasing patient load and changes in reimbursement rules. These changes in the delivery of care will be address in Part 2 of this series.
Diederich Healthcare is a nationally recognized insurance agency and can also assist physicians with transferring current coverage to a more cost-effective and comprehensive policy. Diederich also specializes in assisting groups of five (5) physicians or more by creating a policy designed to meet the specific needs of the group.
Contact Diederich Healthcare or visit www.diederichhealthcare.com to obtain a no-obligation free quote for your professional medical liability insurance. Diederich Healthcare understands the need to reduce a practice’s overhead expense and shopping for a new medical malpractice insurance carrier is one of the easiest ways to cut out unnecessary costs. Contact an agent at Diederich Healthcare today to see how today’s rates compare with your current policy.
To contact the author, call 800-457-7790 and ask for Rob Cash.