Kaiser Health News reports that more doctors are experimenting with new business models and practice techniques as they face falling reimbursement rates and rising demands from the federal government and insurers to boost quality and lower costs. According to the report, the shift is reflected in the growing number of physicians who are not self-employed. Independent practices is expected to fall from 39% in 2012 to 36% by the end of this year.
Some of the new models and techniques are designed to boost physicians’ reimbursements. One such example is the medical home, consisting of teams of physicians and nurses who can provide more coordinated, preventive care services.
