Are County Medical Societies Worth the Money?

 

The establishment of medical societies in the early nineteenth century provided a means for physicians to separate themselves from a variety of other health practitioners and be among like- minded and equally qualified colleagues. One of the main functions of any association is networking and developing relationships with your fellow members. In today’s environment where competition for the health care dollars is intense and every paramedical profession is trying to expand its professional limits, it is ever more important for medical societies to be financially strong and well organized to safeguard the profession from legal and financial attacks.

 

A number of factors including new technologies like Facebook, Twitter, email, LinkedIn, medical blogs, etc., have made it much easier to connect with each other making it easier to leave organized medicine. In addition changing medical economics have made it difficult to justify payments of dues without any tangible benefit. The position AMA took regarding recently passed Affordable Care Act (ACA) brought to the surface members’ feelings that AMA’s priorities are not in synch with their own. As a result the AMA saw a 3% decline in their membership in 2009. Though, according to Cecil Wilson, immediate past President of AMA, new membership for 2010 has bounced back up.

 

Even though many physicians may not see the tangible benefits of belonging to a county or a state association, there are numerous areas where an association can be more effective than an individual physician or a small group practice. Following is a brief synopsis of what Lee County Medical Society provides to its members. It is evident that these valuable services can only be accomplished through an organization like LCMS and would not be possible for an individual physician or a small group practice to avail them on its own.

 

Most of the local issues facing physician practices are discussed vigorously by the board members and then brought to the attention of FMA for further legislative actions. Some of the recent examples include physician’s dissatisfaction over AMA’s support of the ACA. Resolution for FMA to leave AMA was proposed by a local physician and was debated at the FMA annual meeting. Similarly, LCMS supported efforts by FMA for tort reforms at the state level and it was successful in getting legislations passed which were favorable to the medical community.

 

Physician practices can take advantage of specially negotiated discount of up to 65% from Vendors like Office Max for office supplies. It is a free benefit for the members.

 

Allows members to speak with an attorney free of charge for 15 minutes on healthcare related legal questions including medical malpractice and regulatory issues.

 

Through First Professional Insurance Company members of LCMS enjoy 10% off their malpractice premiums.

 

Participating members are eligible for up to 24.8% of your premium as dividends based exclusively on claims activity.

 

LCMS offers free informational packages for physicians who are relocating in or out of the area. LCMS also provides information on how Florida laws/statues impact physician practices.

 

Upon request LCMS can arrange for speakers for local events and organizations including Edison State College and Gulf Coast University.

 

Ten issues of the Bulletin are mailed to each member to keep them updated on issues affecting the practice of medicine. The bulletin is available on LCMS website as well.

 

Contains information for all active members of the society and is an excellent source for patients seeking an area physician.

 

No association be it local, state wide or national can please every member but there is only one way we can have a voice at the State and National level and that is by joining hands and working for a common goal to preserve our chosen profession and better serve our patients.