Due to the challenges physicians have faced in recent years, many are experiencing burnout and exhaustion. To address this, the American Medical Association (AMA) has developed a plan aimed at boosting morale. Continue reading to learn more about these developments.
The AMA has announced the AMA Recovery Plan for America’s Physicians to tackle the pressing challenges facing the nation’s doctors. Physician burnout was already a national concern before the coronavirus pandemic, and the pandemic has exacerbated this issue to crisis levels. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of 37,800 to 124,000 physicians by 2034. AMA President Gerald Harmon, MD, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “America’s doctors are a precious, irreplaceable resource. Physician shortages, already severe before COVID, have nearly become a public health emergency. If we don’t succeed with this Recovery Plan, attracting young talent to medicine and addressing the shortage will be even more difficult.”
The Recovery Plan focuses on five key areas:
- Supporting telehealth services, including insurance coverage
- Reforming Medicare payment for physician services
- Preventing “scope creep” that expands the practice scope of non-physicians, such as nurse practitioners
- Reforming prior authorization to reduce administrative burdens and avoid care delays
- Addressing physician burnout and reducing the stigma around mental health for physicians
Expanding Telehealth The pandemic led to unprecedented growth in telehealth, with 90% of physicians adopting it for patient care. Continuing telehealth services benefits both physicians and patients. Harmon noted, “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ensured that telehealth payment rates were equivalent to in-person services, even for audio-only visits. This has proven to be a viable option, offering safety, convenience, and time savings for patients. In rural areas, where geographic barriers pose significant travel challenges, digital health is invaluable.” Harmon stressed the importance of preserving telehealth advancements, saying, “Patients and physicians overwhelmingly support the continuation of telehealth post-pandemic. We are working to update laws and regulations to make this permanent.”
Reforming Medicare Physician Payment For years, Medicare reimbursement for physician services has been inadequate, creating financial uncertainty for physician practices. Harmon explained, “Medicare physician payments, the only healthcare delivery component subject to budget neutrality, have fallen 20% when adjusted for inflation since 2001. Legislative and regulatory changes during the COVID pandemic threatened a 10% cut in Medicare payments this past January. Thanks to the AMA and other medical organizations, Congress averted these cuts at the last minute—a major victory. However, we shouldn’t face this annual uncertainty. We need a permanent solution to ensure the economic viability of physician practices.”
Harmon underscored the need for payment reform, saying, “Predictable financial returns are essential for investing in costly infrastructure like new technologies and treatments. We are done with short-term fixes and looming cuts.”