MGMA Stat: Measuring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Medical groups prepare as a summer COVID mini-surge spills over into fall

Putting post-COVID telehealth predictions to the test

While medical groups brace for more transitions around telehealth rules and reimbursement, the patient demand for virtual care delivery might not be as strong as you’d think.

Mask requirements remain in half of medical groups three years into COVID-19

Almost three years after the official COVID-19 pandemic declaration, the signs of normalcy grow with more medical groups dropping their mask requirements.

Healthcare staffing hasn’t felt the hit of the COVID-19 “Kraken” yet this winter

Healthcare providers haven’t felt a perfect storm from the “Kraken” COVID-19 variant yet this winter like they did in last year’s Omicron wave, according to a new MGMA Stat poll.

No one-size-fits-all approach to mask rules heading into a third COVID autumn

While most medical practices still require masks for everyone, those that have relaxed or eliminated those policies have a variety of approaches to COVID-19 safety measures.

Omicron BA.4, BA.5 surge causes spike in sick leave, as some practices revisit COVID-19 policies

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and continued spread of new coronavirus variants pose issues for medical groups when providers and staff are affected.

Back to normal: Medical practices’ visit volumes are rising in 2022, but so are costs

While more patients are returning to medical practices in 2022, the productivity recovery comes with higher costs for medical groups amid still-rising inflation.

Despite the rise in telehealth during the pandemic, remote patient monitoring lags

Despite the increase in telehealth usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, remote patient monitoring continues to lag, according to a new MGMA Stat poll.

On or off? Medical groups face renewed mask policy questions after judge nixes CDC transit mandate

Healthcare providers often bear the burden of answering renewed questions about indoor masking following a judge’s ruling to undo the CDC’s public transit mask mandate.

Back to normal or “new normal,” optimizing appointments is the key to your revenue cycle

How medical practices are handling COVID-19 mask policies amid new CDC guidelines

From early confusion to broad adoption, protective mask use has evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new MGMA Stat poll finds how much closer many practices are to relaxing their policies.

As practices turn to remote and hybrid work models, engagement and culture are key considerations

Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of medical group practices have turned to some form of permanent remote/hybrid work model for their employees.

Omicron and staffing woes weigh heavily on medical practice COVID-19 vaccination policies

Most medical practices track staffers’ booster shot status, but not as many are prepared to update vaccination policies to require those doses after one federal mandate was blocked.

Surging Omicron cases push patients back to virtual care

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has swept across the United States, about half of medical practices have shifted to more telehealth/virtual visits.

Are incivility and pandemic denial from unruly patients the new normal?

Unruly, disruptive patients seem to be the new normal in medicine after two years of pandemic stress. Learn more about handling difficult patients and taking care of your staff.

Omicron’s holiday surge causes a perfect storm for medical practices

A major spike in patient demand for COVID-19 testing, a lack of supplies and workers being out due to quarantine created a perfect storm for medical practices this holiday season.

One year into COVID-19 vaccinations, most medical practice workers are protected

About one year after the first COVID-19 vaccine received emergency authorization, most medical practices have had great success in getting their workers to get their shots.

Medical supply costs still high amid COVID-19 spikes — will Omicron add to supply chain disruptions?

New worries about COVID-19 variants could wreak havoc again on supply chains for medical supplies such as personal protective equipment heading into 2022.

For medical practices, staying productive amid COVID-19 recovery hinges on staffing, systems and more

From staffing to supplies, about the only thing that’s not in short supply for medical practices are challenges. Learn how this has affected productivity levels in 2021.

Not-so-graceful aging: Half of practices saw days in A/R increase in 2021

As healthcare nears the end of a second pandemic year, a strong focus on A/R remains crucial in an era of rising costs and ongoing uncertainty.

Even as COVID-19 pandemic eases, a physician burnout epidemic continues

Even as the spread of COVID-19 cases slows, the burnout epidemic among physicians in the United States continues at a worrisome pace, according to a new MGMA Stat poll.

Despite uncertainty, patient demand for telehealth expected to remain strong

Despite telehealth visits plateauing in recent months, patients continue to demand more convenient care options that promote improved access and continuity of care.

How to talk to employees about COVID-19 vaccine requirements: HIPAA, religious exemptions and more

As COVID-19 vaccine requirements affect more healthcare workers, know how to have effective conversations with your employees about HIPAA, religious exemptions and more.

Workarounds for worker shortages: 8 strategies for pandemic staffing issues in medical practices

Staffing, uncertainty among top pandemic challenges for medical groups heading into 2022

The challenge of staffing and resulting uncertainty amid the latest surge of COVID-19 cases are the top challenges heading into 2022 for medical practices, per an MGMA Stat poll.

As hospitals are overwhelmed, which medical practices were immune to the summer COVID-19 Delta spike?

The COVID-19 Delta variant has pushed some hospital ICUs beyond capacity. Take a closer look at how a summer of rising case numbers has affected medical groups.

Moving the needle: FDA approval prompts more COVID-19 vaccine requirements for healthcare workers

The push to get healthcare workers vaccinated against COVID-19 enters a new stage following the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Vaccine requirements for healthcare workers gain traction to defeat COVID-19’s Delta surge

The importance of immunizations in COVID-19 pandemic recovery has reached a tipping point, with more healthcare organizations and state and local governments mandating them for workers.

Training in webside manner can go a long way in strengthening digital care connections

As healthcare organizations prepare for long-term telehealth strategies, it’s important to ensure clinical providers are trained to succeed in virtual care delivery.

Deal or no deal: COVID-19’s impact on the pace of consolidation in healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on ownership changes and M&A activity among medical practices is hard to ignore. Learn more about what to expect going forward.

Almost one year into COVID-19, patient satisfaction with telehealth growing

No matter how much of your practice’s visit volume is done via telehealth, measuring patient satisfaction remains a key indicator of performance.

Fostering a sense of connection with your practice's remote workforce

Communication and collaboration can go a long way in engaging your remote workforce to ensure they are as or more productive than they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly half of America’s doctors are busier than ever as COVID-19 recovery continues

The ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is reflected in more than just productivity and compensation data; this MGMA Stat poll takes a closer look at the clock and hours worked.

Patients and medical practices staying in touch remains vital as COVID-19 pandemic continues

As practices deal with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and deferred care, the method of patient communication can sometimes be as important as the message.

After a year of pandemic tumult, medical practices consider bonuses to attract top talent

As competition for key medical practice staff intensified during the pandemic, bonuses are one option that HR leaders are using to stay in the race for top talent.

COVID-19 recovery for medical groups: Almost half of practices still below pre-pandemic visit volumes

Updating your medical practice’s dashboards to get more key metrics faster on areas such as telehealth, cash balances and more can help you respond more effectively throughout the pandemic.

Has the drive toward diversity stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic?

More than a year after society took a serious look at race, social inequities and the role of healthcare leaders in addressing disparities, where do your efforts toward diversity stand?

Measuring the toll COVID-19 took on the physician workforce

One physician recruitment expert says healthcare may be on the verge of a physician turnover epidemic. Learn what strategies work in responding to the toll taken by COVID-19 on doctors.

Is there room to grow with remote patient monitoring as COVID-19 continues?

The evolution of telehealth services more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic is reflected in a new MGMA Stat poll on the adoption of remote patient monitoring.

MAs MIA? The COVID-19 pandemic made hiring medical assistants harder than ever

Increasing demands for care and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have made it significantly harder for medical practices to recruit highly qualified medical assistants. Learn more via MGMA Stat.

Is the telehealth boom set to continue in 2021? Congress and consumers will help decide

After astonishing growth in telehealth utilization in 2020, what does 2021 hold in store for medical group practices? Consumer demand and congressional action may make the difference.

Keeping patient payments coming despite a sluggish economic recovery

A slow economic recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic likely means ongoing challenges with patient financial responsibility and a need to review payment plan policies.

COVID-19 vaccine policy: Is your medical practice ready?

As COVID-19 vaccine arrives for healthcare workers, have a plan for how your organization will handle getting workers their doses.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on healthcare practice ownership

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained many medical practices, which creates new opportunities for strategic planning around ownership in the coming year.

Party in a pandemic? How to boost medical practice staff morale for the holidays

Staff morale in healthcare was difficult before COVID-19. Learn some tips and ideas for approaching the holidays in the most unusual and stressful year for medical practices.

“Where’s my vaccine?” Shipment delays disrupt plans for flu vaccine clinics

Flu vaccine shipment delays and associated shortages are disrupting medical practices’ ability to conduct scheduled vaccine clinics in some parts of the country.

Practical steps for remote patient monitoring service line success

As telehealth services mature, remote patient monitoring can be an effective means to measure patients’ health data and provide contactless care.

The KPIs that matter most in medical practices’ COVID-19 recovery

Recovery from COVID-19 volume and revenue losses means medical practice leaders are looking at new metrics to assess their success. Nate Moore, CPA, MBA, FACMPE, shares what he’s seeing.

The rising price of keeping your practice safe: Managing PPE cost increases

PPE and supply chain experts with Project N95 detail the future of the PPE market and where demand (and costs) will remain high in the coming months.

Updating check-in policies amid COVID-19 means a fresh take on patient experience

Beyond social distancing changes, medical practices have unique opportunities to update their facilities and policies to optimize check-in procedures for patient visits.

Payer rules, patient ease of use top telehealth challenges for medical practices

Challenges with payer rules, reimbursement, patients’ familiarity with technology and new workflows are medical practice leaders’ top concerns, per a new MGMA Stat poll.

COVID-19 took significant toll on medical practices’ ancillary services

More than half of medical practice leaders say their ancillary service volumes dropped by more than 50% amid the COVID-19 crisis, per a new MGMA Stat poll.

Addressing provider and staff mental health amid COVID-19

As practices continue to address an abundance of issues prompted by the pandemic, one of the most important to consider is the mental health of staff and providers.

Overcoming the top billing and coding challenges for telehealth and telephone visits during COVID-19

Bringing practice staff back from furlough safely: Adding the right protocols and education

The sudden effects of the COVID-19 pandemic left many medical groups with diminished volumes and revenues, prompting the decision to furlough employees to avoid layoffs.

Rising above: Telehealth cited as top initiative for helping medical practices through COVID-19

Medical practice leaders share the top initiatives that helped them navigate the early months of the COVID-19 crisis, plus a Rise Above Recognition story of excellence in telehealth.

Long-term COVID-19 recovery for medical practices: Handling phased reopening and ramping up telehealth

The majority of medical practice leaders say they have a long-term recovery plan to address the COVID-19 crisis, per a new MGMA Stat poll.

COVID-19: Pandemic prompted compensation drops for practice executives, managers

The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical practices has been felt beyond just physicians, as executives, managers and others noted drops in compensation.

Medical practices turn to small business loans, provider relief funds in wake of COVID-19

Learn more about the range of financial assistance and ways in which medical practices are handling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Handling staff shortages in your medical practice amid COVID-19

Your medical practice staff are your most valuable resource, and MGMA is taking a closer look at how coronavirus/COVID-19 is affecting staffing amid the response.

Masks remain a top challenge in medical practices’ quest to secure PPE, supplies

More than half of medical practice leaders say they are still struggling to obtain adequate PPE more than two months after the COVID-19 crisis began.

Coding guidance for new ICD-10-CM and lab testing codes for COVID-19

Find coding guidance for your practice for new ICD-10-CM and lab testing codes for COVID-19.

The right tools for the job: Securing personal protective equipment and supplies to treat COVID-19

An MGMA Stat poll reveals the extent to which medical group practice leaders have faced supply shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staying afloat as patient volumes and revenues decline during COVID-19

A new MGMA Stat poll finds the vast majority of medical practices have seen patient volume drops amid COVID-19. Learn about the ramifications of those changes.

Safety, unpredictable volumes and fear pose challenges for reopening medical practices amid COVID-19

An MGMA Stat poll finds that adding safety protocols, managing unpredictable patient volumes and overcoming staff and patient fear amid COVID-19 are top challenges to reopening.

New patient appointments an ongoing struggle for practices amid COVID-19

About half of practice leaders say that new patient appointments decreased due to the COVID-19 crisis. Learn about how to maintain a steady stream of patient volume to sustain revenues.

COVID-19’s impact on provider compensation

A new MGMA Stat poll finds most medical practices took steps such as reducing hours, salaries, bonuses and CME funding amid COVID-19.

Medical practices innovate care delivery, increase telehealth access amid COVID-19

The vast majority of medical practice leaders report expanding telehealth services to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new MGMA Stat poll finds.

Fear remains a factor: Safety cited as top reason for patients deferring care amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Delayed care poses a challenge for medical practices seeking to maintain patient-provider relationships and restore revenues, not to mention potential issues for long-term outcomes.

Most COVID-19-related staff compensation cuts were limited, temporary

An MGMA Stat poll finds that staff compensation decreases amid the COVID-19 crisis were limited through the early months of the pandemic for medical practices.

COVID-19 continues to dramatically impact patient volumes

The majority of medical practice leaders say their patient volumes are starting to recover amid the COVID-19 health crisis, per a new MGMA Stat poll.

As patients slowly return for in-person visits, volumes and revenue remain a major focus for medical practices

A new MGMA Stat poll finds that many medical practices have reopened to in-office visits with patients, but volumes are still slow to increase following the lifting of stay-at-home orders.

Managing payer mix challenges during the COVID-19 crisis

The recession prompted by the COVID-19 crisis is fueling payer mix changes for medical practices across the country. Learn to account for the effects these changes have on reimbursement.