More than half of physicians — 61 percent — reported an increase in overhead costs for items such as EMRs and other administrative layers to comply with PPACA provisions. Physicians also reported the law is costing patients more: 51 percent of patients delay routine screenings because of the cost of high-deductible plans associated with the health reform law, the survey found.
The majority of physicians responding to the survey (59 percent) said the positive effects of the PPACA do not outweigh the negative effects when it comes to their medical practice. Approximately 23 percent of physicians said they were planning to retire, thinking of retiring or becoming part-time locum tenens contract employees in 2015, and 90 percent attributed this decision to the healthcare law.
“Doctors are distracted from taking care of their patients with unnecessary paperwork, regulations and expenses,” said Richard L. Jackson, chairman and CEO of Jackson Healthcare.
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