Physicians and their practice managers face two daunting challenges. First, they must operate a small business in compliance with a multitude of state and federal regulations, usually without any real experience in the business world. Second, they must operate in compliance with an additional burden of federal and state healthcare regulations,the enormity of which is unmatched in any other industry.
Membership in APPA includes both the physician and practice manager. Our managers have their own Advisory Board and agenda.
They organize their own schedule of meetings about topics of practical value to every small practice. Their network helps them address day-to-day business issures. This alone is worth the price of membership.
Membership in our professional associations and societies cannot provide the business assistance our small practices need. No single consultant can provide ongoing supervision or answer all our practical questions. Nor can they address our particular mix of local challenges.
These challenges include:
Adapting to changing roles among our APPA physician
practices. Reimbursement issues have redefined what we do
for our patients and how physicians interact in their care. Internists&family physicians spend less time with patients
and incorporate more ancillary services that compete with
specialists. Specialists incorporate more expensive imaging
modalities in their practices which competes with hospitals.
Specialists such as oncologists and cardiologists provide
mre long term management of chronic diseases which
competes with primary care providers. How do we maintain
] our focus on quality private healthcare as our roles are rapidly
changing and business issues increasingly demand more of
our time?
Enhancing our reputation as that of our hospitals declines.
Like it or not, the reputation of our practices is linked to that
Of our closest hospital. Hospitals used to compete on and
promote quality programs. Now they are fighting to survive.
Physicians and hospitals used to be allies. Now they are
competitors. How do we promote the quality of the APPA
physician community, if potential patients see our hospitals as
less desirable?
Adapting to the rapid shift to consumer directed healthcare
and the decline of employer third party health insurance. HSAs
and HRAs have grown at a surprising pace. The majority of
younger patients are expected to be in control of their own
healthcare dollars in a decade. How will we distinguish
ourselves as the preferred choice as this transition unfolds?
The best answer to all of these questions includes our combined efforts through a local association such as APPA. The best answer to our day-to-day business needs includes the assets available through APPA. It is for these reasons that our officers and board members, along with our practice managers board, voluteer their time. They believe in the ethical priniples of private healthcare and the necessity of working together.
APPA physician and practice manager members have access to our
Physican meetings 3-5 per year
Practice managers meetings 4 per year
Newsletter “Progress” twice a year
E-Newsletter monthly
Opinion surveys on hot topics yearly
Our APPA Administrator for advice and problem solving
