Private practice is a preferred model for providing quality care at lower cost, according to Nicholas Grosso, MD, president of Bethesda, Md.-based The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, in an article in U.S. News & World Report.
When physicians work for hospitals or health systems, their employers may dictate treatment decisions that are not necessarily the best options for patients' needs, Dr. Grosso said.
Treatment in private practices can drive down healthcare expenses. "Hospital treatment will always be the most expensive option for a variety of reasons, including site of service fees and reimbursement structures," Dr. Grosso said. "Whenever possible, private practitioners can perform surgeries for low-risk patients in outpatient centers — which dramatically lowers costs while typically improving the patient experience."
For example, a study in Orthopaedic Reviews found orthopedic surgeries cost an average of $3,225 more when performed in a hospital rather than outpatient setting.
Dr. Grosso acknowledges the private practice model has struggled in previous years. However, he maintains, "the private practice model is evolving — not dying." The independent "super group" is a model gaining traction. When individual practices join forces, they can maintain physician autonomy while also sharing financial resources and leveraging economies of scale and a broader service network.
"Super groups are becoming an increasingly compelling and viable option for private practitioners of every specialty, from primary care to urology," Dr. Grosso said. "If a super group doesn't already exist in your area, you will likely have one soon."