Augusta-based MaineGeneral Health hired six primary care physicians to help boost patient volume and offset a negative operating margin, according to the Press Herald.
MaineGeneral saw an estimated negative 3.5 percent operating margin during the past fiscal year that ended June 30. The health system's CEO and President Chuck Hays attributed the poor finances to an increase in uncompensated care from the rise of high-deductible health plans and the state's decision not to expand its Medicaid program.
In addition, nine primary care physicians left the health system last year, which added costs for temporary hires and caused performance issues, according to the report. The health system has filled six of those positions, which has already led to higher patient volumes and revenues, according to the report.