CCMS Medicine Winter 2017 - 7

www.CHESTERCMS.org

The way Medicare is set up, private practices, especially
smaller ones, are bound to fail. Larger groups can negotiate better
payment contracts and can better withstand difficult times.
Moreover, CMS pays a lot less for procedures done in private
offices as compared to hospitals.
Is it worth all the hard work and time one puts into becoming
a doctor? And trust me, it is a lot of work. Recently, there was an
article online, in Best Medical Degrees (you can Google it and get
the exact numbers), but the end result was a doctor after taking
into account the time, years of training and expense, makes three
cents per hour less than a school teacher. And even though doctors
are usually thought of as significant contributors to the health care
cost, data shows that doctors' salaries and compensation make up
less than 12% of the total cost of health care.
Unfortunately, doctors are poor advocates for themselves,
but like Dr.Trojak they give all of their time and energy for
patient care, and are relentless in their patients' care. Every time
there is a concern about increased costs, physicians are the first
to get reimbursement cuts, even though that cost is minuscule in
the bigger scheme of things. Drugs and equipment costs which

contribute a lot more to the budget are not as vigorously pursued
because they have better advocacy.
"Nickel and diming" physicians not only puts tremendous
stress on the primary health care giver but may affect the patient
care that you want from your doctor to be healthy in mind, body,
and soul.
Despite all the hard work and stress physicians go through, one
thing has remained a constant; nurses and doctors remain at the
top of the list of most trusted professions and we should take great
pride in that.
I am hoping Dr. Price who will be the President's Health
Secretary will have more empathy for doctors since he is a thirdgeneration physician and has been in private practice - he knows
the trials and tribulations of the private practice physician who has
been the backbone of healthcare in this country.

Mian A. Jan, M.D., is a practicing Cardiologist
and President of Chester County Medical Society.
Contact Dr. Jan at 610-827-1543.

Current Advances in
Cardiovascular Care 2017
The purpose of this educational activity is to provide
education on recent advances in the field of cardiovascular
care and how it impacts the management of patients.
The emphasis will be on evidence-based, best practice
standards of care. It will focus on practical and clinical
issues faced on a daily basis by the health care professional.
This activity has been designed for primary care physicians,
interventional cardiologists, clinical cardiologists, cardiac
surgeons, vascular surgeons, hospitalists, emergency
medicine specialists, interventional radiologists, nurses,
physician assistants, technologists and other members
of the health care team who want to enhance their
knowledge of current advances in the management of
patients with heart and vascular disease.
For more information: 215-898-6400 or 215-898-8005
penncme@mail.med.upenn.edu * penncmeonline.com

Saturday, March 11, 2017
Sheraton Valley Forge, 480 North Gulph
Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406
ACCREDITATION Physicians: The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide
continuing medical education for physicians. Nurses: Penn Medicine Nursing is an approved
provider of continuing nursing education by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, an
accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Approval # 124-3-H-15
DESIGNATION OF CREDIT Physicians: The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of
Pennsylvania designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the
activity. Nurses: The program will award 6.75 contact hours. Physician Assistants: AAPA accepts
certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. PAs may receive a
maximum of 6.75 Category 1 credits for completing this activity.

WINTER 2017 | CHESTER COUNTY MEDICINE 7

http://chestercms.org/index.html http://www.penncmeonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CCMS Medicine Winter 2017