Purpose: To determine ethnic Asian-Indian physician experience of Managed Care Organizations (MCO) in the US, as ethnic minority physicians are under represented in managed care contracts. Methods: A random nationwide pilot survey of physicians who are members of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) during 1998-2000. The information on MCO was categorized into physician characteristics; physician satisfaction; rating of plan for quality; limitations in care to the enrollees; difficulties in acquisition and maintenance of managed care contracts; and financial impact. Results: A total of 254 physicians completed the survey (response rate 25%). Majority were males (72%), married (93%), board certified (87%) and in solo/single/multi-specialty partnerships (68%). Older (>50 years) and male physicians had 81% of patients enrolled in MCO; also solo- and group-practices had the highest patients enrolled in MCO (X2=18.32; P=.032). Practices participating in MCO had the highest number of board-certified physicians. Pearson's correlation(r=0.33, P=0.01) showed that physicians in solo- and group- practice perceived difficulties in acquisition and termination of contracts, and limitations on providing care to patients as compared to physicians in other staff-model HMO. Physician satisfaction was not related (P>.05) to board certification, specialization, location of practice, and participation in MCO. Conclusions: Solo- and group- practice Asian-Indian physicians relied heavily on MCO for patient care despite perception of contractual difficulties and limitations in this pilot survey. The findings need to be confirmed in larger studies as it has implications for delivery of health care to minority population.
Learning Objectives: 1. To determine ethnic Asian-Indian physician experience of managed care organizations in the US. 2. Identify gender and age differences in percentage of patients enrolled in managed care. 3. State the factors related to physician satisfaction.
Keywords: Physicians, Managed Care
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