In 2009, as part of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, the Obama Administration began a program that “encourages” hospitals and providers to adopt electronic health records systems (EHR). These records allow the government to collect patients’ health data. Implementing EHR systems is expensive, costing millions of dollars for a larger practice. But it is not necessarily only the high cost of the EHR itself that gives many physicians pause.
The high cost involved begins with lost revenue incurred during the months of preparation, planning, training, and workflow redesign that typically comes with switching to an EHR. Unfortunately, the “cost” increases when the system is implemented. As Annals of Internal Medicine found, physicians spend 49.2% of their office hours on EHR, leaving less time for patient interaction. While in the examination room with patients, physicians must spend 37% on EHR. This has proven to be a frustrating, inefficient use of physicians’ skills, requiring them to face a juggling act in order to comply with government reporting requirements without interfering with one-on-one patient contact. The reporting requirements are MANDATORY for physicians contracted with any federal health program including Medicare/Medicaid/Tricare and ALL advantage plans.
Dr. Bailie believes in the importance of value based care, placing more focus on the patients’ needs directly, without the interference of government guidelines, which often prevent proper patient care. As a result, he has chosen to opt out of Medicare, as well as several insurance carriers, in an effort to retain high quality care and avoid the reporting requirements that have contributed to the erosion of the physician-patient relationship.
Dr. Bailie DOES see those patients on an OUT-OF-NETWORK (OON) basis, and can negotiate a fair cash price for DIRECT PHYSICIAN SERVICES. Other services (such as hospital costs, therapy, anesthesia, labs, etc.) remain covered in cases where surgery is needed. In 2016, Dr. Bailie was able to provide excellent care for hundreds of patients with private insurance using their OON benefits and for Medicare patients. Based on feedback from his patients, they are grateful to be able to receive the highest quality care, at an affordable price, without the negative influences of the “healthcare system”.
