Wednesday, July 4, 2012
News for Young Physicians
View AMA-YPS final actions from annual assembly meeting
Compilations of AMA Young Physicians Section (YPS) actions and positions on items of business considered by the AMA House of Delegates during last month's Annual Meeting are now available.
These items include AMA-YPS final actions on items of business considered by the section, and final AMA-YPS handbook review grids depicting the section's positions on House business.
Get guidance on shared savings models
A "how-to" manual from the AMA about emerging payment options now includes a chapter about shared-savings models.
"Evaluating and negotiating emerging payment options" provides detailed, practical guidance that can help physicians understand the key analytical issues associated with shared-savings arrangements, including the Medicare Shared Savings Program and gain-sharing arrangements. It also can help physicians evaluate the extent to which they will be able to succeed under shared-savings programs.
The chapter details:
- How shared-savings programs compare with other budget-based payment arrangements described in the manual.
- How to understand and evaluate the details of shared-savings payment and risk-assumption methodologies.
- How to protect a practice in potentially problematic contexts, including risk assumption, termination, obtaining in-kind support from health plans and diminishing financial returns over the term of the shared-savings arrangement.
The chapter also helps physicians identify the "low-hanging fruit" where they might readily achieve the most savings and describes practical steps to take to realize such savings.
