AMGA continues to increase membership, adds 43 group practices

The American Medical Group Association's membership grew for the 13th consecutive year in 2013 with the addition of 43 group practices that include almost 8,000 physicians, according to its annual report to members.

The organization now has 435 member groups, but that number changes often—and frequently decreases—as many of the large multispecialty groups that belong to the AMGA continue to merge and consolidate. More indicative of the size of the organization is the number of physicians who practice in the organization's member groups, and that number is up, too, growing to 150,000 in 2013 from 130,000 in 2012. AMGA group members average 348 doctors while their median size is 140 physicians.

A main force in the development of accountable care organizations, the AMGA credits its reputation “as the leader in the movement from volume-based to value-based care” for its growth and for maintaining a 94% retention rate among current members.

“That we are in the right place at the right time is no accident—a lot of hard work has gone into cultivating an environment that recognizes the value of coordinated, accountable care,” Donald Fisher, AMGA president and CEO, said in a news release.

The annual report cited AMGA's government advocacy activities, which included a Nov. 26 discussion with White House officials and 130 meetings with members of Congress or their staffs. The AMGA focused it lobbying on issues such as Medicare payment reform, preserving the Stark law's exemption for in-office ancillary services, and creation of separate payment mechanisms for groups that meet the AMGA's definition of a high-performing health system.

The report also noted that the association's 2013 annual conference, held last March in Orlando, Fla., set a new record with almost 2,200 attendees. This year's conference will be held April 3-5 in Grapevine, Texas.

Follow Andis Robeznieks on Twitter: @MHARobeznieks