Columbia, Md.-based The Center for Advanced Orthopaedics' Nicholas Grosso, MD, urged consumers to seek out private practices in a column for U.S. News & World Report.
Here are the main points from the column:
1. Although the quantity of private practices decreased over the past few years, Dr. Grosso said they're primed for a comeback.
2. In private practice, physicians can make decisions they view as "best for the patient," Dr. Grosso said. A hospital relationship introduces a significant amount of administrative interference, he said.
3. Private practices are cheaper than their hospital counterparts. Private practice physicians can perform low acuity procedures in the outpatient setting, keeping costs down.
4. Dr. Grosso said as more practices partner to create "super groups," the practices will be able to sustain themselves while sharing profits between individual groups.