By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Conservatives: The Utah Health Exchange is Not a Model
    July 23, 2011
    Medical Malpractice Reform Losing Physician Support
    November 7, 2011
    Hospitals Aim to Apply Direct Payments of Care Delivery to Increase Resources
    August 28, 2012
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Medicare Needs to Emphasize Prevention and Quality of Care
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health Reform > Medicare Needs to Emphasize Prevention and Quality of Care
Health ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & LawPublic HealthWellness

Medicare Needs to Emphasize Prevention and Quality of Care

StephenSchimpff
Last updated: July 7, 2013 8:00 am
StephenSchimpff
Share
5 Min Read
medicare prevention and quality of care
SHARE

(Editor’s Note: Stephen Schimpff has been a member of our Advisory Board since the very beginning. He has given us numerous exclusive posts; here is his latest!)

(Editor’s Note: Stephen Schimpff has been a member of our Advisory Board since the very beginning. He has given us numerous exclusive posts; here is his latest!)

medicare prevention and quality of careMy last post discussed how Medicare has marginalized primary care physicians with low reimbursements over a long time frame. The result is PCPs carrying very large patient loads, seeing 24-25 or more patients per day and giving each about 10-12 minutes of actual interaction time per visit. This means that there is no time for listening, no time for prevention, no time for care coordination and no time to just think. Meanwhile, with a rapidly aging population beset with numerous chronic illnesses resulting from adverse behaviors, the costs of care are rising rapidly. And at the same time new graduates are shunning primary care due to the long hours, the work load, the inability to give really quality care and the frustrations of dealing with the insurance industry, including Medicare.

Medicare needs to greatly increase reliance on “front end” care, meaning primary care and wellness/preventive care. This must include addressing lifestyle issues (diet/nutrition, exercise, stress and smoking) as part of a wellness, disease prevention and health promotion action. And concurrently it needs to assure that those with chronic illnesses get the type of care coordination that they desperately need.

More Read

hospital negligence
3 Celebrities Who Were Victims Of Hospital Negligence
Health Reform: Making the Senate Republican Plan Better
Prostate Study Receives Media Attention
How Technology Solutions Are Shaping The Future Of Home Healthcare
American Healthcare is Facing-Off Against Google—And Losing

One step in this direction came with passage of the ACA. There is now an annual preventive care session with the PCP paid by Medicare with no deductions or co-pays and, as noted, PCP reimbursement rates are scheduled to rise by about 10% over time. But one session per year is not enough to give really adequate preventive care and the 10% increase will not reduce the 15 minute visit time. Whatever increases in reimbursement occur they need to recognize the importance of the PCP in maintaining wellness and health, providing enough time to listen and think so as to assure quality care and time for coordination of care for those with chronic illnesses.

Changing the payment paradigm from fee for service to a capitated or salaried approach will only improve care and reduce costs if the PCP is granted the needed time to listen, to prevent, to coordinate and to think. Absent this, costs will continue to rise and care will be less than satisfactory. Many PCPs are leaving their private practice to work for the local hospital. This saves administrative work but the hospital’s productivity standards still demand seeing too many patients per day. The concept of the medical home and the accountable care organization have real value but only if the PCP is granted the time and in return the PCP agrees to limit his or her practice to a smaller number so that indeed the patient gets the time needed.

To summarize, improving care quality through appropriate reimbursement by Medicare to allot the time truly needed for 1) visits with a complex issue, for 2) extensive preventive care activities and for 3) chronic illness care coordination would all lead to better care quality, more satisfied patients and substantially reduced costs. Medicare would benefit greatly and medical school graduates would once again enter primary. A good bargain for patient, doctor and Medicare.

Stephen C Schimpff, MD is a quasi-retired internist, professor of medicine and public policy, former CEO of the University of Maryland Medical Center. He chairs the advisory committee for Sanovas, Inc. and is a senior advisor to Sage Growth Partners. He is the author of The Future of Health Care Delivery – Why It Must Change and How It Will Affect You from which this post is partially adapted.

(Medicare / shutterstock)

TAGGED:MedicareMedicare by Schimpff
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Healthcare Innovation: Moving from Stewardship to Leadership

September 9, 2012
AHRA2014
Hospital AdministrationMedical DevicesPolicy & LawRadiology

Enterprise Dose Management Is Radiology’s Opportunity to Lead

August 24, 2014

Look Out for These Medicare Scams

February 21, 2012
Image
Home HealthWellness

Get Healthy Without Breaking the Bank

February 16, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?