Improve Medical Practice Productivity with Non-Physician Providers

As the demand for healthcare services grows, medical practices are seeking ways to enhance efficiency while maintaining high-quality patient care. One solution is integrating non-physician providers (NPPs) into the practice. NPPs—including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, physician assistants, and physical therapists—play a crucial role by taking on key clinical responsibilities, allowing physicians to focus on complex cases and strategic decision-making. With years of academic training, NPPs possess a skill set that bridges the gap between registered nurses and physicians, strengthening patient care and practice operations. Their contributions help improve patient access, streamline workflows, and support a more efficient and sustainable care model.

Create a Blueprint for Non-Physician Providers

Before integrating NPPs into your practice, consider how your practice could utilize a clinician with this level of licensing. Practices should evaluate their current needs to see which NPPs can fulfill those needs. NPPs are most often incorporated into practices in the following ways:

• The NPP is the first patient contact, and the physicians are consultants. In this scenario, the NPP is an extension of the physician, prepping the patient for the physician's evaluation and diagnosis.
• The NPP provides continuing care for Medicare patients according to the physician's care plan.
• The NPP may primarily support their own patient load while still supporting and consulting with the physician. The NPP handles more routine cases independently while the physicians take on more complex cases. The NPPs may also treat same-day patients when the physician's schedule is full.

Constructing New Models for Medical Practices

The patient care team approach is a new model for medical practice that is growing in popularity, especially in primary care. A physician with an NPP and several nurses form a smoothly functioning team that treats individual patients. As primary care continues to evolve, we are already seeing physicians oversee multiple NPPs to meet growing patient needs. This trend is expected to continue, with some speculating that smaller groups of doctors will manage even larger teams of NPPs in the future. In this model, NPPs are responsible for most patient encounters. Physicians would then primarily supervise NPPs, review performance data, perform diagnoses, and handle the most complicated cases.

Recruit and Retain Non-Physician Providers

To recruit and retain the best NPPs, practices should offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including a CME allowance, paid time off, licensure fees, malpractice premiums, and professional memberships. They should also consider implementing a productivity incentive plan, such as a percentage of net collections attributable to the NPP.

A Strong Foundation Starts with CRI

With the right planning and candidate selection, integrating a non-physician provider can be a strategic way to enhance practice efficiency and patient care. CRI’s medical practice advisors and consultants can help you develop a tailored plan for NPP integration, optimize payor contracts and fee schedules, and create a patient care process that maximizes both productivity and reimbursement. Contact us today to explore how NPPs can strengthen your practice and support the long-term success of your practice.