HJNO Nov/Dec 2019

Healthcare Journal of new orleans I  NOV / DEC 2019 51 Gabriel Rivera-Rodriguez, MD President Jefferson Parish Medical Society policies, like prior authorization or formu- lary design, can add hours to physicians’ days, which are often not compensated by insurance companies. What else keeps physicians awake at night? Physicians are concerned that patients cannot get the care they need because of limitations in funding of the Medicaid pro- gram, or because they may not know how to access the care they need in our health- care system—which is often fragmented and daunting for even the most knowl- edgeable patient. Physicians in the Greater New Orleans area and throughout Louisiana are frus- trated with low Medicaid reimbursement that does not cover their cost. At this time, Medicaid reimbursement for providers in Louisiana only covers 80 percent, making it extremely difficult for physician practic- es to pay monthly bills, buy supplies, and make payroll. As a result, many have had to lay off good employees and strip cost to the bone. Physicians also worry that patients may not have the resources to get the med- ications they need, or to make healthy lifestyle choices. Every patient's physical, behavioral, and social status is important to physicians, as is the entire population of Southeast Louisiana.  All of these concerns about their abili- ty to provide comprehensive, quality care also has an impact on the professional and personal lives of physicians. According to physicians attending the focus group, the business of medicine poses its own chal- lenges, including contracting and legal issues, staffing and office management re- cruitment and retention concerns, and the seemingly increasing demands of health insurers. These mounting concerns have caused many physicians to become em- ployed by large groups or health systems, as they realize they are unable to address the business demands of the practice.  What can OPMS and JPMS do to re- duce stress and decrease burn- out? What do physicians want most? They want to care for patients without intrusion. They want to continue to nurture the sa- cred physician-patient relationship.  What do physicians want most from the new proposed organization? They want effective advocacy with payors, regulators, and hospitals. They want resources to help them be more informed physicians, re- gardless of where and how they practice. They want the ability to share best prac- tices and learn from each other. And they want a strong and unified voice. Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies' leadership and board members listened intently, as they gathered infor- mation for the development of a new organization to best meet the needs of physicians, patients, and the Southeast Louisiana community.  The new collaboration between the two physician organizations, titled Building A New Boat, is using the information gath- ered in physician polling to develop the mission, vision, and purpose of the new organization, and to begin planning new services and events.  What will change and what will stay the same? Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies plan to maintain their respective relationships with Louisiana State Medical Society and their District 1 and District 2 representation for submitting and voting on resolutions at the annual House of Del- egates Meeting in Baton Rouge.  The proposed new organization will provide opportunity for increased col- laboration and cost-sharing for all other services that will be developed from phy- sician feedback. The current presidents, vice-president/president elect, and imme- diate past-presidents serve on the adviso- ry committee for the development of the new organization, and report back to the two respective boards.  Both organizations continue individual recruitment and retention efforts. Some of the decisions have not been made. Howev- er, membership in each will now include all of the new benefits and services of the proposed new organization. How can physicians join?  New Orleans area physicians interest- ed in joining Orleans or Jefferson Parish Medical Society and the new organization are asked to visit www.OPMS.org or www. JPMS.org to enroll online. Organizations interested in sponsoring physician events are asked to contact Jodi Schwing, Executive Director, Jefferson Parish Medical Society, at email@jpms. org, or Jim Pittman, Executive Director, Orleans Parish Medical Society, at email@ opms.org.   Where can physicians learn more about the new organization? Follow Orleans and Jefferson Parish Medical Societies on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter (@OrleansParishMS and @ JeffMedical) and visit www.jpms-opms. org. n