Survey: Medicare Part B is the easiest

Of the national health insurers, public and private, Medicare Part B causes medical groups the least amount of hassle, according to a survey of 1,700 practices released at the Medical Group Management Association’s annual conference in Denver last month.

MGMA members gave Medicare the highest marks on questions related to responsiveness, transparency, prompt payment and overall satisfaction with general administrative functions. The survey did not ask about fee satisfaction.

“Despite the fact that Medicare consistently underpays and places member practices in an increasingly difficult financial situation - with a looming 21 percent cut to physician payments - MGMA members were positive about the standardized and predicable nature of how the program is administered,” says MGMA President and CEO William Jessee, MD.