Here are four points on what it could mean for physicians:
1. Proponents argue that a single-payer system would have several advantages for providers.
2. If the United States moved to single-payer system, physicians and hospitals would all be paid according to the same payment rules, which is an inconsistency in the system with multiple payers, according to Gerald Kominski, PhD. A multi-payer system creates incentives for physicians and hospitals to prefer one type of patient over another based on insurance.
3. The best way to get to single-payer would be a gradual approach, according to Harold Pollack, PhD, Helen Ross Professor at the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. This might mean having a “public option” that allows people to buy into Medicare program voluntarily, and then eventually moving everyone into it.
4. A single-payer system probably would mostly use fee-for-service and might derail efforts to focus on pay-for-value models rather than volume-based reimbursement, said A. Mark Fendrick, MD.
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