Home / Articles / Practice Notes: How to benchmark NPPs in your practice

Practice Notes: How to benchmark NPPs in your practice

December 3, 2013

Share:

Using non-physician providers (NPPs) can be an effective way for practices to prepare for the expected influx of 30 million new patients receiving health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s new Health Insurance Marketplaces and expanded Medicaid programs. But, for the use of NPPs to work, you must benchmark NPP performance by identifying performance metrics that reflect your practice’s critical success factors and then using these metrics to set goals and measure progress toward them.

Performance metrics

In a typical practice, NPP performance metrics fall into five categories:

1. Day-to-day practice. Does the NPP meet deadlines? Is he or she up to date and accurate with charting and dictation? Are billing forms completed promptly and fully? Does he or she prepare effective referral letters and other correspondence?

2. Practice development. How effective is the NPP at attracting new patients and retaining existing ones? Is he or she a source of ideas for practice improvements, and willing to assist with administrative matters?

3. Practice style. The ideal is a strong, production-oriented work ethic. Does the NPP work efficiently, being sensitive to the cost of resources he or she utilizes? Does he or she demonstrate enthusiasm and flexibility during the daily work routine?

4. Clinical performance. The NPP must have appropriate knowledge and skill, and maintain them through continuing education. Can he or she ensure patient compliance with directives and coordinate care effectively?

5. Interpersonal skills. Does the NPP interact well with patients, clinical staff, management, referral sources, vendors and suppliers?

All of the above characteristics should be measured objectively — quantitatively whenever possible, otherwise qualitatively.

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) has looked at the deployment of NPPs by physician practices and collected data that can help you benchmark effectively. Among the MGMA’s members, there’s an average of 0.31 NPPs for each full-time physician, with NPP costs of 4.05% of practice revenue and total provider (NPP and physician) costs of 41.75% of practice revenue. See the chart “Key practice metrics involving NPPs” for more metrics you can use for benchmarking.

Focus on the numbers

The best-managed physician practices employ NPPs. To get the greatest benefit from them, thoughtfully supervise their performance using appropriate benchmarks.

 

Key practice metrics involving NPPS

Median Nurse practitioner Physician assistant
Collections $203,309 $282,528
Work RVUs 2,692 wRVUs 3,180 wRVUs
RVUs 5,730 RVUs 6,139 RVUs
Salary $93,977 $92,635 (primary care)

Source: 2013 MGMA Physician Compensation and Production Survey

 

For more information on this topic or with any questions, please contact Darrin Spitzer at [email protected]

All content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Matters discussed in this article are subject to change. For up-to-date information on this subject please contact a Clark Schaefer Hackett professional. Clark Schaefer Hackett will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.

Guidance

Related Articles

Article

2 Min Read

IT Audit Guide for Ohio Sports Gaming: Rule 3775-16-2

Article

2 Min Read

Social Security’s Future: The Problem and the Proposals

Article

2 Min Read

Strengthening Cybersecurity for Financial Data Protection

Article

2 Min Read

Fair Lending Compliance: What You Need to Know

Article

2 Min Read

Review Your Security Status With Our CMMC Readiness Checklist

Article

2 Min Read

Is a CFO the Right Choice for Your Nonprofit?

Get in Touch.

What service are you looking for? We'll match you with an experienced advisor, who will help you find an effective and sustainable solution.

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.