Physician Contract Negotiations: The Landscape and Predictions

In this episode of SoundPractice, host Mike Sacopulos interviews Ron Howrigon, President and CEO of Fulcrum Strategies, who has decades of experience in healthcare and managed care organizations. Howrigon discusses his career transition from negotiating provider contracts for major insurance companies to advocating for physicians and hospitals. He critiques the current U.S. healthcare system, highlighting its inherent flaws due to for-profit incentives, bureaucratic hurdles, and the declining autonomy of physicians. Howrigon also addresses pressing issues such as physician retirements, inadequate training pipelines, and the challenges posed by private equity in healthcare. He proposes reforms, such as holding insurance medical directors accountable, as practicing physicians, to improve patient care and reduce administrative burdens. The conversation concludes with insights into Fulcrum Strategies’ mission to help doctors achieve equitable reimbursement and navigate the complexities of managed care.