Small medical practices struggle
“Hello, Dr. Hummel’s office. Yes, of course. I understand.”
Dr. Barbara Hummel hung up the office phone with a sigh. Another patient canceling an appointment.
Hummel’s been running her Milwaukee private practice since 1995. It was her dream job since she decided to go back to school for medicine when she was 36.
At the height of her business, she would see about 16 patients a day. But since the coronavirus pandemic, she has been lucky to see nine. Some days, as few as two arrive.
She is now the sole employee of her office, working as a doctor, receptionist and office manager.
“This last year has been rough,” the 77-year-old family doctor said. “My practice is technically bankrupt, so I’m paying all my expenses out of my personal funds … using retirement savings.”
Smaller physician practices are struggling to stay open during the public health crisis as the pandemic strains the American health care system. A survey issued by the American Medical Association late last month found the average revenue in medical practices has dropped by 32%.
Revenue reductions were 50% or greater for nearly 1 of 5 physicians, according to the nationally representative survey of 3,500 physicians, administered from mid-july through August.
“Physician practices continue to be under significant financial stress due to reductions in patient volume and revenue, in addition to higher expenses for supplies that are scarce for some physicians,” said AMA President Dr. Susan R.
Bailey.
One-third of surveyed physicians said in-person visits decreased by 50% or more during the pandemic.
Hummel says her revenue is down nearly 60% because the majority of her patients are older and afraid to leave home. They know the coronavirus disproportionately affects people over 70.
Wisconsin reported more than 38,000 new cases in the week ending Sunday, another record for the state. Nearly 13,000 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, and more than 1,500 were in intensive care units.
Hummel knows that at her age she, too, is at higher risk for severe disease, but that doesn’t stop her from working. She recently made a house call to a 100year-olds to give her a flu shot in the yard.
“I’m concerned. I take all the precautions I can. I know that if I get COVID, I’m probably at risk of being one of the fatalities, but if I dwell on that, I wouldn’t leave my house, and I can’t do that,” Hummel said. “I have an obligation to be here and to help provide care for my patients, and I understand that obligation.”
Many offices have turned to telemedicine. But despite an increase in virtual visits since February, the AMA survey found nearly 7 of 10 physicians said they were still providing fewer visits.
Hummel tried to help her patients adapt to telemedicine. Most don’t have mobile phones or a computer.
“Telemedicine doesn’t pay for the office overhead, not at all,” Hummel said. “And, again, most of my patients don’t even have access to it.”
Thirty-six percent of physicians said acquiring more PPE was very or extremely difficult for smaller practices.