How Will ACA Affect Physician Call and Administrative Rates?

No doubt about it, hospitals have been spending more on physician coverage and administrative payments than they have in the past. According to our database and 200+ subscribing facilities, we observe a ten percent increase in hospitals paying for coverage alone–not to mention administrative payments.

The Affordable Care Act could have several effects on physician call and administrative payments.  Expanded insurance coverage could relieve the burden of providing care to patients who were formerly uninsured and unable to pay. Physician income could increase as the result of having more people insured privately or through Medicaid.

On the other hand, physician fears over decreasing reimbursement from CMS and Medicaid programs could spur them to seek alternative income streams, including call coverage per diems and administrative payments.

As most things with health care reform, we’ll have to wait and see.  What do you think? Will physician administrative call payments and administrative rates increase or decrease as we implement the Affordable Care Act?

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