On Nov. 2, the Los Angeles County Medical Association hosted the Business of Medicine Conference at the Westin Pasadena. The event culminated with an insightful lunchtime panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: Bringing Together Health Plans to Support Independent Practices.” Moderated by Dr. Hector Flores, a member of LACMA’s Executive Committee, the panel featured leading voices in healthcare who explored innovative strategies to empower solo and small practices in a rapidly evolving, value-based care landscape.
Key Highlights
Dr. Sameer Amin, Chief Medical Officer at LA Care, and Dr. Nishant Anand, CEO of Altais Health, shared their expertise alongside a robust lineup of invited panelists, including industry leaders from HealthNet/Centene, Blue Shield of California, and Anthem. Together, they tackled some of the most pressing challenges faced by independent practices today, including:
• Financial Constraints: Rising costs, decreasing reimbursements, and limited access to capital continue to place significant pressure on solo and small practices.
• Practice Transformation: The transition to value-based care demands operational overhauls, including adopting Accountable Care Organization (ACO) principles and other advanced care models.
• Recruitment and Retention: Independent practices face challenges in attracting new physicians amid competition from larger health systems.
Solutions Discussed
The panelists presented actionable insights and solutions, such as:
• Health Plan Support: Dr. Amin emphasized LA Care’s initiatives to provide technical assistance and financial incentives for small practices transitioning to value-based care.
• Collaborative Advocacy: Panelists underscored the need for health plans, organized medicine, and policymakers to align efforts to address systemic barriers, including reimbursement rates and regulatory burdens.
• Innovative Partnerships: The discussion highlighted successful examples of collaboration between independent practices and health systems that leverage shared resources while preserving autonomy.
Audience Engagement
The audience engaged with panelists through thought-provoking questions, exploring topics like the impact of recent policies (e.g., Prop. 35 and CAPCI) and strategies to negotiate better contracts with payers. The interactive session underscored the importance of fostering dialogue between healthcare purchasers, insurers, and providers to support smaller practices.
The Way Forward
The panel concluded with a call to action for stakeholders to advocate more broadly for solo and small practices. Recognizing their critical role in delivering patient-centered care, particularly in underserved communities, panelists stressed the importance of continued investment and policy innovation to ensure these practices can thrive in a value-based care environment.
LACMA remains committed to supporting independent practices and advancing policies that create a sustainable future for healthcare delivery.
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