For Physicians

Guide helps doctors make sense of profiling reports

A guide developed by the AMA removes the mystery from complex insurer-provided profile reports, helping physicians verify the reports' accuracy and use the information to make practice improvements.

The AMA's "Take Charge of Your Data" guide offers practical instructions to simplify the process of reviewing these profile reports and aids physicians in applying their data to enhance the quality of care. Using a standardized report with fictional patient data, the guide explains the features of a typical report and how to review data and performance results.

Just this summer, the AMA released its "Guidelines for Reporting Physician Data," which are aimed at standardizing the format of profiling reports across insurers, increasing transparency in the reporting process and providing a greater level of detail. More than 60 organizations have supported the guidelines, including Cigna, Midwest Business Group on Health and UnitedHealth Group.

Because data on profiling reports now drives public reporting, pay-for-performance, and tiered and narrow-network programs, it is increasingly important that physicians are able to ensure the accuracy of these reports.

Visit the AMA's online Practice Management Center to learn more.

Examine health care trends from payment to education

An AMA report has added new fact sheets highlighting key issues and trends in medicine that are impacting physicians and patients alike.

The new fact sheets are part of the AMA's 2010–2012 Health Care Trends report, produced by the AMA's Council on Long Range Planning and Development, and cover data and trends worth watching related to six topics:

• Science and technology in medicine
• Health care resources
• Medical practice and quality
• Demographics and health status of the U.S. population
• Physician payment
• Medical education

Each fact sheet provides an overview of the topic, supplies key statistics from influential health care studies and reports, and outlines the predicted implications of these trends on physicians. The full report discusses these and other topics in greater depth and explains the impact today's health care trends may have on patients.

Register to download the new fact sheets and all 11 chapters of the Health Care Trends report.

New disability insurance options available through AMA Insurance

A racquetball injury, an auto accident or a debilitating illness or injury all can affect your ability to practice medicine and jeopardize your ability to make a living as a physician.

Are you covered? Is your disability insurance coverage enough? Consider the new options available through the vetted professionals of AMA Insurance's Physicians Financial Partners (PFP) program.

For example, physicians in specialized practices have access to higher benefit limits available only through their local PFP member. And physicians with outstanding medical school loans can consider a lump-sum product built specifically for paying off debt.

Exclusive physician rates are available.

For physicians who prefer a consultative approach, this disability coverage is offered through Millennium Brokerage Group, LLC, and other financial professionals approved to participate in AMA Insurance's PFP program

To learn more about your coverage options or to obtain a no-obligation assessment of your coverage, contact the PFP today.