Physicians group continues to expand

story by Marla Cantrell
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Last June, David Gooch, founder of the Independent Physicians Alliance, introduced the organization to the community. The concept was simple: form a hub of services, information and training for doctors working outside a major medical system.

There are now 40 local doctors using the service and a total of 600 across Arkansas. (Link here for the June 2009 IPA beginnings story by The City Wire.)

“We have credentialed vendors, representing each part of what a doctor’s office needs to operate, such as accounting, legal, computer and phone support, and consulting services,” Gooch said. “The vendors must be able to serve all of Arkansas and guarantee a better service and price than they could have gotten it on their own. We call it getting a Cadillac for the price of a Geo.”

Physicians are also offered training webinars and assessments of their current practices. Those using the service are sent an annual statement showing the benefits of belonging to the alliance. The doctors are then asked to donate $100. It is not mandatory. If enough money is collected, Gooch and three other staff members collect a maximum of $20,000 each.

Now that the basic services are in place, the alliance is working on a community outreach program with the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. Dustin Smith, UAFS athletic director, said the partnership works.

“David Gooch and our head athletic trainer, Jeff McGee, along with Dr. Kyle Jarnigan have worked tirelessly to create a network of people in the medical community that are willing to work with our student-athletes,” Smith said.

Gooch said it’s particularly important for students away from home for the first time. There’s another reason for service. It could keep the best and brightest from leaving our area.

“If we can keep students from going to UofA (Fayetteville) or Oklahoma we can retain the educated kids and they can start businesses here instead of moving away,” Gooch said. “We can draw an education base from other locations through the sports programs and also because they’re a four-year college.”

The alliance is sponsoring the basketball games for the Hall of Fame Day at UAFS on Feb. 27. Vendors with the IPA will set up booths. Doctors, their families and their employees will be admitted free.

The university also will hold a luncheon that day to showcase seven individuals who contributed to the success of the athletic program.

The Hall of Fame Day is the first big push by IPA to get the word out about its program. Since June, the program has relied on word of mouth. But Gooch said the organization is taking off. He cites savings for members, from $960 on phone bills to $55,000 reduction in malpractice insurance for a group of 12 doctors.

He also said much of what the alliance does can’t be tracked by dollars and cents.  Those in the group are kept up to date on changing government regulations and proposed legislation. And with President Obama’s push for health care reform, the need for information is great.

“I don’t believe that any physicians were for the public option,” Gooch said. “I think everybody liked the no pre-existing conditions, being able to shop insurance outside the state, and keep insurance when you leave a job. … Radiologists would get hurt with legislation that’s on the table right now. Primary care doctors might benefit but it would cut rates on radiologists. It would cut the freedom to go to the specialists quite a bit because of the quality control issue.”

While those on Capitol Hill waver over what should happen, many in the River Valley continue to struggle with health care costs. Gooch said independent physicians who don’t have to meet a corporate bottom line are better able to work with uninsured or underinsured patients. He said the alliance, which can buy services and even vaccines at bulk-rate prices, is helping doctors keep costs down.

“We’ve had more self-pay patients, people trying to get in because they’re losing their insurance,” Gooch said. “Several have lost jobs. Many are going to such high deductibles they’re not able using their insurance.”