The American Medical Association yesterday launched its new National Managed Care Contract, a first of its kind online resource and database to help physicians analyze and improve managed care contracts, as well as thwart unfair business practices.
The NMCC will provide model contract language that complies with insurance laws and regulations in each of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, and allow physicians to keep up with changes in statutes through its searchable online database.
The AMA expects physicians to use these new tools to request reasonable changes to managed care contracts, enhance communication with managed care organizations, monitor legislative and regulatory trends and more.
"The concentrated market power of large health insurers gives them an unprecedented advantage in dictating key aspects of healthcare to physicians," said AMA President J. James Rohack, MD. "The AMA's new resources will be a welcome guide for negotiating fair contracts with health plans angling for an even greater advantage over physicians."
For more information:
- read the AMA's press release [1]
- check out this article [2] in Hospital Review Magazine
- here's the actual database [3]
Related Article:
No good deed goes unpunished in managed care contracting [4]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/press-releases/ama-launches-new-tool-help-physicians-correct-unfair-managed-care-contracts-nationwid
[2] http://www.hospitalreviewmagazine.com/news-and-analysis/business-and-financial/ama-launches-new-national-managed-care-contract-resource-and-database.html
[3] https://ssl3.ama-assn.org/apps/ldap/login.cgi/id/members-staff?URL=http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/priv/advocacy/current-topics-advocacy/private-sector-advocacy/managed-care-contract.shtml&M=GET
[4] http://www.hospitalimpact.org/index.php/2010/01/27/no_good_deed_goes_unpunished_in_managed