healthcare retention

Stuck in the middle: studies show growing tension between providers and payers

A growing body of data articulates the frustration healthcare providers have with payers over the growing complications caused by claim denials and prior authorizations by Intelliworx Some 44% of healthcare providers have considered leaving their position as a result of the claim denials. That’s according to a still new survey of 211 U.S.-based healthcare providers we recently published (downloadable PDF version here). Unfortunately, our survey is not an isolated example. Over the last 12 months or so, several other studies have drawn similar conclusions and three of those studies follow below. 1. Providers are “caught in the middle” as denials increase Nearly three quarters (73%) of respondents surveyed by Experian Health said “claim denials are increasing.” More astonishingly, the number jumped dramatically from 42% when compared to the same survey the company fielded two years prior. Even when claims are approved, providers aren’t done as 67% say payers are taking […]

A one-page marketing plan for rural healthcare to attract providers

Providers who choose to work in rural communities are drawn there for very different reasons; the key to effective recruitment rests in appealing to those motivations by Intelliworx Rural healthcare facilities are facing challenging financial times. Many have high operational costs combined with a low volume of patients. Patients in such geographies also tend to be older, more susceptible to chronic illnesses and underinsured. That combination drives up the cost of care while imposing a natural limit on cost recovery and revenue. If we sprinkle in a dose of difficulty with insurance, particularly with reimbursement, and we catch a glimpse of the vexing problem it is to deliver healthcare to rural America. The financial stress is having a compounding effect too. For example, an economic analysis by the USDA found 146 rural hospitals in the U.S. either closed or stopped providing inpatient services between 2005 and 2023. Further, the forecast […]

The one thing 116 healthcare providers would change about health insurance [verbatim]

In their own words, providers say health insurance companies deny treatments they’ve prescribed to patients too often – here’s what they would change if they could by Intelliworx More than 4 in 10 healthcare providers surveyed have considered quitting their jobs over the burden insurance sometimes places on their daily work. That’s according to a survey of providers we commissioned and published last month. The findings characterized the frustration providers have with payers over claim denials. It’s a concerning statistic given the prolonged shortage of providers that continues to challenge the healthcare community: “Given the persistent and prolonged shortage of healthcare talent, this could be an opportunity for savvy employers to stand out among rivals,” said Patrick Youngblood, DBA, SPHR. “Those who are willing and able to find creative solutions to ease the strain providers face in complying with payer demands could be a boost to provider recruiting and retention.” While we offered several suggestions […]

Healthcare providers express frustration with payers over denied treatments [survey]

Providers chafe when insurance companies second guess their medical decisions; 74% indicate it happens frequently; 45% say it takes too much time; 44% have considered quitting over the demands these engagements add to their jobs by Intelliworx When healthcare insurers deny treatments it can derail a healthcare provider’s day. Suddenly, they are thrust into a forum where they have to justify their medical decisions. Many providers say this happens too frequently and takes up too much time. That’s according to a new survey of 211 U.S.-based healthcare providers published by Intelliworx. Respondents were solicited through an independent survey panel between January 30, 2025, and February 4, 2025. The survey may well serve as a call to action for healthcare employers as well. While many providers say their employers are supportive, there is a substantial percentage who say employers could do more to help them manage this challenge. What’s more, the […]

7 observations showing how rural healthcare is overcoming the provider shortage

Rural healthcare facilities are increasingly turning to nurse practitioners (NPs), international medical graduates (IMGs) and “non-residency” physicians to fill the gaps by Intelliworx They say constraint breeds creativity. When faced with limited resources, leaders find ways to apply those resources more effectively. Constraints tend to produce creative thinking that one might not have considered otherwise. One place we’ve found this to be true is rural healthcare. A persistent shortage of healthcare providers has forced the community, especially in rural areas, to find creative ways to solve this problem. That’s an observation we found woven throughout the 2024 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives report. The report, which is the most current edition available, is produced by AMN Healthcare’s Physician Solutions division – formerly known as Merritt Hawkins. It’s compiled from a range of sources including other studies, surveys and most importantly, a “representative sample of the 2,138” provider […]

With all eyes on recruiting, healthcare also has a retention problem

Recruiting is just one part of the talent shortage puzzle; the best way to begin refilling a leaky bucket is to seal the leak by Intelliworx Recruiting is top of mind for many healthcare employers, and more and more are investing time in the function. For example, “MGMA polling from late 2023,” found “nearly eight in 10 (78%) of medical group leaders spent more time on recruitment and interviewing last year than the previous year.” The findings were included in a healthcare staff compensation report from the association which includes a mix of polls MGMA has fielded over the last few years. Never miss a post! Subscribe to our weekly newsletter by email. Yet recruiting is only one part of the problem. Another key part is retention and retention rates are astonishingly high in some areas. As a case in point, MGMA says clinical staff turnover is at a rate […]

Many healthcare employers see the struggle to recruit nurses grow

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, yet a dearth of talent means this persistent problem continues to weigh on employers by Intelliworx As it is with providers, healthcare employees everywhere are struggling to attract nurses. That’s according to a new report by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Citing an MGMA Stat poll from May 2024, the report says, “22% of medical group leaders say their nurse recruitment and hiring efforts improved in the past year, while the majority (78%) say they have seen little change (43%) or experienced worsened conditions (35%).” The top factor contributing to this healthcare recruiting challenge is a dearth of talent. There simply aren’t enough nurses and it’s hitting rural locations even harder. Why? “While some practice leaders noted a smaller pool of candidates in their rural markets, most respondents pointed to tough competition for qualified candidates from hospitals and larger organizations with […]

How healthcare staff compensation has changed over the last five years

“Sizable compensation increases for these roles are in line with anecdotal reports about the continuously competitive labor market,” according to a new report by MGMA by Intelliworx The shortage of providers is perhaps the biggest challenge facing rural healthcare facilities. Accordingly, there’s a lot of focus on incentives to attract more providers, particularly compensation. Providers are an important part of the puzzle. However, it’s important to remember they usually have a team to support them. These team members handle a wide range of supporting tasks from negotiating with payers – to prepping patients to be seen by a provider. They are crucial to keeping things running smoothly. To that end, the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) is out with a new report that benchmarks the growth in management and staff compensation. While the report benchmarks the changes over several different time periods, we believe the 5-year time frame is the […]

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