The Medical Group Management Association has released the results of its annual survey of member satisfaction with major health plans, which shows Medicare Part B topping the list in most of the categories.
Medicare Part B scored highest on questions related to responsiveness, transparency, prompt payment and overall satisfaction with general administrative functions, according to MGMA officials. But while that plan outdistanced private payers peers in these areas, it also scored dead last in satisfaction for its provider credentialing.
"Aside from its problematic credentialing system, our data show Medicare's administrative operations being viewed as transparent and reliable in comparison with the private sector," said William F. Jessee, MD, president and CEO of the MGMA. "However, this is in stark contrast to Medicare's payment system, which once again is on the brink of disaster with cuts totaling near 30 percent looming in December and January."
A separate study also released Monday by MGMA showed significant numbers of providers considering severely restricting the number of Medicare patients they would see as a result of the expected cuts.
As in past years, the survey on administrative payer performance showed satisfaction with the disclosure of payers' fee schedules and prompt payment of claims. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest satisfaction score and 3 considered neutral, all seven payers scored above 3.4 for the disclosure of their fee schedules, with Medicare far outdistancing the private payers with a score of 4.45.
Likewise, all seven payers received scores above 3 for the promptness of their payments to group practices. Rated for overall satisifaction, only three payers scored above the 3-point benchmark: Medicare Part B (3.43), CIGNA (3.10) and Aetna (3.04). Those receiving scores that indicate dissatisfaction were Coventry (2.97), Humana (2.91), Anthem (2.87) and UnitedHealthcare (2.60).
The one sore spot for Medicare Part B in the survey was its provider credentialing, which came in seventh of the seven payers with a score of 2.70; all other payers received favorable marks.
"MGMA strongly urges Medicare to join the private sector in making the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare Universal Provider Datasource the standard among all health plans. Credentialing is a major area where Medicare fails to operate in a standardized and efficient manner. It's a good example of where a lack of standardization results in needless costs to our health system," Jessee said.