Overview

The 212,000 physician practices in the US consist of primary care and specialty practices. Primary care physicians are responsible for monitoring an individual’s overall medical care, performing physical exams, and treating minor illnesses. Primary care practices include general and family practices, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. Specialty practices focus on a particular area of medical care and may also perform surgeries to treat problems. Specialists include allergists, cardiologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, general surgeons, ophthalmologists, orthopedists, psychiatrists, and radiologists.

Lower Reimbursement Rates

Since only about 9% of patient visits are self-pay, physician practices are highly dependent on reimbursements from private insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Hospital Affiliations

The past few years has seen an increase in hospitals purchasing physician practices to grow their revenues and medical staff.