The healthcare reform law may benefit specialist physicians more than primary care providers, according to a new report.
"Healthcare Reform: Winners and Losers," a white paper by New York-based market research firm Kalorama Information, claims specialist physicians are likely to benefit from insured customers who can now pay for their services.
But for primary care physicians already dealing with full waiting rooms, an influx of patients is a small benefit, said Kalorama publisher Bruce Carlson.
"The potential patient load increase, without corresponding revenue increases, is likely to make their business more difficult," he said. "Unless other entities can relieve the load, we think it will also impact job satisfaction and recruitment of primary care doctors."
Like specialists, retail clinics should benefit from more insured customers, Carlson said, and nurse practitioners are likely to gain opportunities in the long term, as the system seeks to deal with heavier patient loads.
Traditional providers, such as hospitals and nursing homes, could see more patients, the Kalorama report contends, although the reimbursement cuts in the law will have the most immediate impact on them.
In terms of product manufacturers, Kalorama sees the new legislation as a negative for traditional pharmaceutical companies and says medical device companies will be disappointed by a new tax in the legislation.
But Carlson said at least two industry sectors will prosper. Biotech companies will benefit from tax credits on biologic projects, he said, and diagnostic companies are well positioned to gain from the expected increase in doctor's visits.