Contrary to popular belief, the majority of patients don't change doctors because their insurance plan required them to choose someone else.
Also, contrary to popular belief, they select their doctor not from the telephone book or their insurance plan directory. That may have been more the case back in the 90s at the height of the capitation heyday.
The truth is in the old adage: "When customers are happy they tell one person, when they are unhappy they tell ten." Now, they blog and tell the world. Most of your patients selected you on the recommendation of their friends and family or other physicians. Did you say thank you to those referral sources? They demonstrated their confidence in your ability to care for them when they are most vulnerable, a sacred trust and a stronger than titanium bond.
In a survey we conducted at a 2008 health fair, the responses were as follows:
Reason for switching doctors
Doctor was aloof or abrupt 60%
Doctor was evasive or inattentive 30%
Excessive delays / scheduling problems 8%
Questionable billing practices 4%
Doctor was excessively familiar 1%
Confidentiality was violated 1%
Managed care plan participation 2%
Other 4%
Some respondents gave more than one answer so the percentages total more than 100.
About the Author: 
Maria K Todd, MHA, PhD is known around the world for her expertise and generosity in sharing ideas, techniques and practical tools with her colleagues in the industry. She is a leading health care industry consultant and described by clients and peers as a visionary and thought leader. Statistically, she is the leading trainer in managed care contracting worldwide. Since 1989, she has lectured professionally through colleges, universities, seminar companies, publishers and non-profit professional associations as well as on-site private training classes for hospitals, medical groups, offshore revenue cycle business process organizations and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. In total she has delivered more than 2600 managed care training classes and seminars to over 53,000 attendees and participants. Every month the number grows higher and higher!
Conflict Disclosure: The author is a professional consultant and derives a substantial percentage of her income reviewing managed care agreements and advising hospitals, physicians and others on matters regarding managed care and contracted reimbursement. The author previously worked for a Health Plan in provider relations as a contract negotiator. The author has no other conflicts to declare. This disclosure accurate as of November 5, 2008.
Notice: Please remember that the opinions, and information contained in this document is that of the individual author. These materials (1) do not constitute legal advice; (2) do not form the basis for the creation of any relationship; and (3) should not be relied upon without seeking specific legal advice with respect to the particular facts and current state of the law applicable to any situation requiring legal advice. These materials may only be reproduced with the prior written consent of Maria Todd. These materials are provided with the understanding that the author is not rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice or opinions on specific facts or matters, and, accordingly, such entities assume no liability whatsoever in connection with their use.
You can learn more about managed care contracting in Maria's latest book,The Managed Care Contracting Handbook, 2nd Edition (2009)
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