Many healthcare leaders are worried about industry consolidation as physicians continue to opt for employed models over private practice.
Bill Stangl, executive director of Gilette, Wis.-based Medical Management Inc., joined Becker's to discuss the healthcare trend he's the most concerned about headed into 2024.
Editor's note: This response was edited lightly for clarity and length.
Bill Stangle: While I am most hopeful that AI can breathe life into struggling organizations by improving productivity and quality of care, my real concern lies in decreasing reimbursements which continues to force further mergers/acquisitions and spur independent physicians to join larger groups or hospitals and health systems.
Small, independent community hospitals and independent physician practices continue to disappear creating more stress on a healthcare system that is having difficulty evolving and adopting new ways of conducting business.