AMGA reports significant growth in 2009; 2010 paves way for another successful year

American Medical Group Association (AMGA)Jan 17 2010

The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) announced significant growth in 2009, during which it added 40 new member groups, representing more than 9,700 physicians treating 11 million patients. AMGA also reports that 2010 is already off to a good start with another 7 new members and 2,000 physicians. This continued growth brings AMGA's total physician representation to more than 102,000 physicians and paves the way for another year of strengthening AMGA's voice on behalf of medical groups and organized systems of care.

The membership growth was especially remarkable given the economic environment of 2009, and can be attributed to a variety of factors, including AMGA's leadership in reform efforts that foster the creation of community-based entities accountable for comprehensive healthcare services, referred to as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).

"AMGA's pattern of consistently strong membership growth illustrates that our efforts to promote accountability and to build on the practice patterns of high-performing organizations are resonating with medical group leaders across the country," said Donald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE, AMGA's President and CEO. "AMGA is uniquely positioned to provide a framework for evolution toward an ACO, not only because it was instrumental in crafting the legislative language on ACOs, but also because among our members are the leading high-performing, healthcare delivery systems in the nation. Membership will open the door to a host of valuable resources for them and provide innovative 'best practices' they can use to continue their long-standing traditions of excellence."

By joining AMGA, these organizations now have access to unparalleled networking opportunities with peer organizations throughout the U.S. as well to a full slate of member benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs and publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. Organizations that joined AMGA in 2009 include:

ABQ Health PartnersAlbuquerqueNM
Aurora UW Medical GroupMilwaukeeWI
Bend Memorial ClinicBendOR
Centra Health Professional ServicesLynchburgVA
Community Heart and VascularIndianapolisIN
Conemaugh Health InitiativesJohnstownPA
Covenant Medical Group (TX)LubbockTX
Dedham Medical AssociatesDedhamMA
Fairview Health ServicesMinneapolisMN
George Washington Medical Faculty AssociatesWashingtonDC
Gonzaba Medical GroupSan AntonioTX
Hospital Sisters Health System Medical GroupSpringfieldIL
Huntington Medical FoundationPasadenaCA
INOVA Health SystemSpringfieldVA
Loudoun Medical GroupLeesburgVA
Manhattan's Physician GroupNew YorkNY
Marquette General Medical GroupMarquetteMI
McLaren Medical ManagementFlintMI
MCV PhysiciansRichmondVA
The Medical & Surgical Clinic of IrvingIrvingTX
Mid-Hudson Medical GropuFishkillNY
Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSHWest ChesterIL
Montefiore Medical GroupBronxNY
Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandOR
Overlake Internal MedicineBellevueWA
Patients First Health careWashingtonMO
Physicians for Women's HealthAvonCT
Regional Women's Health GroupVoorheesNJ
Self Medical GroupGreenwoodSC
Sharp Community Medical Group (IPA)San DiegoCA
St. Edward Mercy ClinicFort SmithAR
St. Francis Medical GroupIndianapolisIN
St. Luke's HospitalCedar RapidsIA
St. Thomas' Physician ServicesNashvilleTN
Surgical Specialists of OklahomaOklahoma CityOK
Sutter West Bay Medical FoundationSan FranciscoCA
Swedish American Health System RockfordIL
Tri-State Medical GroupMidlandPA
University of Michigan Medical School & Faculty Group PracticeAnn ArborMI
University of Rochester Center for Primary CareRochesterNY

Organizations that have joined thus far in 2010 are:

Advocate Medical GroupChicagoIL
Baylor College of MedicineHoustonTX
Johns Hopkins Community PhysiciansBaltimoreMD
King's Daughters Medical SpecialtiesAshlandKY
The Oregon ClinicPortlandOR
Oregon Medical GroupEugeneOR
Parkview Physicians' GroupFt. WayneIN