In France, Insurers Have to Pay Claims in 3 Days? (From MGMA Meeting)

Today at the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) national meeting, author T.R. Reid drew laughs from a crowd of over 10,000 practice administrators when he said that, in France, Insurers must pay claims to providers within 3 days. What a perfect example of some of the costly administrative gaps that exist in the US Health care system. In light of the economic crisis this past year and challenges in access to capital, the current US health care system and its complex and inconsistent claims payment systems take on even more significance.

Also at today's conference was bioethicist Ezekial Emanuel, MD who had several key quotes that were then shared via Twitter real time to MGMA members:

• "The problem in the system is not that we don't have the right technologies... it's how we connect with patients."
• "There needs to be a shift from volume-driven care to coordinated care."
• "The holy grail is High Touch Medicine: access, quality and controlled cost growth."

MGMA urged its members to stay involved and also provided an update on health reform efforts since it is likely that grassroots type input will be important once we move to potential floor amendments on a wide range of key issues impacting physician practices in particular that are not addressed in the current Senate health reform proposal.