New Survey Shows Majority of Cardiologists Considering Integrating With Hospitals

A survey conducted by MedAxiom, a network of 300 cardiology practices, shows roughly 60 percent of practices have already integrated with a hospital or are considering it.

The survey of 150 cardiology practices showed that for cardiologists who have integrated with hospitals, job satisfaction and compensation levels have increased. Only 28 percent of surveyed practices reported they are not considering integration. The surveys were sent to MedAxiom member practices in Oct. 2009 and Feb. 2010.

In addition to integration, many cardiology practices are looking into combining practices to provide ambulatory care and helping hospitals manage their cardiology service lines through co-management agreements, says Patrick White, MedAxiom's president.

Specifically, the survey found cardiology practices at the following levels of integration:
•    Full integration: 14.3 percent
•    Co-management agreement: 7.8 percent
•    Considering integration: 45.5 percent
•    Currently not considering: 27.3 percent
•    Will never consider: 5.2 percent

The survey found cardiology practices that have either fully integrated with a hospital or pursued a co-management agreement reported patient, employee and physician satisfaction either increased or remained stable after the move.

"The groups that are making the right decision are the ones that are not just selling their practices to a hospital, they are those that are also managing the cardiovascular service line," Mr. White says. "Many cardiologists understand they need a voice to make sure the service line is not only patient-friendly but also physician-friendly."

Among the greatest concerns the responding cardiologists reported were declining compensation levels and reduced reimbursements for testing. Mr. White says it is unlikely that independent cardiology practices will totally disappear, but he suggests there are ways independent groups might want to consider aligning with hospitals in the future, whether by co-managing the cardiovascular service line (or a portion of it) or negotiating call coverage agreements with hospitals or even taking leadership roles in forming accountable care organizations as they become more prevalent under healthcare reform.

Given the rapid shifts in the healthcare system, it is difficult to predict how these trends will ultimately shake out. "Five years ago if you'd asked me if we'd be where we are today I'd have given you a 1-percent chance of this happening," Mr. White says. "Things have changed so dramatically."

Read MedAxiom's news release on the cardiologist survey.