Subscribe to the MGMA Podcast Network (https://mgma-podcasts.transistor.fm/subscribe) wherever you listen to episodes.

MGMA Week in Review: Addressing Medicare Cuts, Boosting Employee Morale, and Enhancing Patient Experience

Download MP3
Welcome to another episode of the MGMA Week in Review Podcast with hosts Daniel Williams, Senior Editor at MGMA, and Colleen Luckett, Editor and Writer at MGMA. In today's episode, we tackle some pressing issues facing medical practice leaders. We delve into the recent Medicare physician cuts, explore strategies to boost employee morale through modern benefits enrollment, discuss the rising costs of drug supplies and IT expenses, and highlight key findings from Press Ganey's patient experience report. We'll also touch on the concept of administrative harm and its impact on healthcare. Let's dive into these critical topics and uncover solutions that can help you navigate these challenges effectively.

Major Takeaways:
  1. Medicare Physician Cuts:
    • CMS has proposed a 2.8% decrease in Medicare physician fees for 2025, sparking concern among physician groups. Anders Gillberg, Senior VP of Government Affairs at MGMA, criticizes the proposal as "critically short-sighted."
    • The American College of Rheumatology highlights a 29% decline in Medicare physician payments from 2001 to 2024.
    • CMS defends the proposal, citing provisions for telehealth flexibilities, improved primary and behavioral healthcare, and enhanced caregiver training services.
  2. Boosting Employee Morale through Modern Benefits Enrollment:
    • Todd Shyrock's article in Medical Economics emphasizes the importance of modernizing benefits enrollment to improve employee morale and reduce turnover rates.
    • Digital solutions like self-service portals and comprehensive communication strategies are key to a successful enrollment process.
    • "A happy, well-informed staff is more productive and more likely to stay with your practice long-term," concludes Shyrock.
  3. Rising Costs of Drug Supplies and IT Expenses:
    • MGMA's July 9 poll reveals significant increases in non-labor expenses, with drug supplies up 41% and IT expenses up 26%.
    • Practices face challenges with drug shortages and rising costs, investing heavily in cybersecurity and EHR licensing.
    • Internal training programs and hiring alternative staff to cover MA positions are strategies being used to address these challenges.
  4. Enhancing Patient Experience (PX) Report:
    • Press Ganey's "Patient Experience in 2024" report shows significant improvements in PX scores, especially in ambulatory surgery and medical practices.
    • Disparities persist among younger patients and underrepresented populations, highlighting the need for equitable care.
    • Clear, consistent communication is vital for building patient trust and loyalty, leading to better outcomes and stronger patient-provider relationships.
  5. Administrative Harm:
    • The term "administrative harm" refers to the negative consequences of administrative decisions on patient care and clinician well-being.
    • Dr. Marisa Burdon's study in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights the lack of accountability for administrators and the impact on clinician burnout and job dissatisfaction.
    • Strategies like administrative timeouts and inclusive decision-making can help mitigate these harmful decisions and improve patient care outcomes.

Resources and Links:
Thank you for joining us on this episode of the MGMA Week in Review Podcast. Be sure to check out the provided links for more in-depth information on these critical topics. We appreciate your support and look forward to bringing you more valuable insights in our next episode.

NotifyMD Podcast Ad
This episode is brought to you by NotifyMD — the patient access solution built for healthcare professionals. You work hard to care for your patients, and NotifyMD helps you do just that. Their communication experts handle calls, schedule appointments, provide nurse triage, and more — all available 24/7. NotifyMD integrates seamlessly with platforms like athenahealth and Epic and meets the industry’s highest security standards, so you can trust that patient information stays private and protected. Learn more at notifymd.com.

U.S. Bank Podcast Ad
Cash flow challenges like delayed insurance payments, unpaid patient bills, and rising administrative costs can weigh heavily on medical practices. U.S. Bank understands. That’s why their Business Card Consultants work with practices to improve payment strategies and maximize rewards.
Stop by booth #222 at the MGMA Leaders Conference to learn more, or visit usbank.com/bankerconnect to schedule an on-site meeting with a consultant.

MGMA Analytics Podcast Ad
Are your decisions driven by gut instinct—or by real data? With MGMA Analytics, you’ll have the benchmarking and business intelligence tools to guide smarter strategies. From provider compensation to operational costs, MGMA Analytics delivers the industry’s most trusted data. So whether you’re adjusting staffing, setting salaries, or planning for growth, you can make your next move with confidence. Learn more at mgma.com/analytics
MGMA Week in Review: Addressing Medicare Cuts, Boosting Employee Morale, and Enhancing Patient Experience
Broadcast by