For nearly a decade, most areas of the county have been federally designated provider shortage areas, meaning there haven't been enough doctors around to fill patient needs. The problem reached a critical point in the mid-1990s, when many family practice physicians in the area were too busy to accept new patients, leaving many families without basic health care. But finding providers willing to practice in rural areas like Oswego County was difficult. Today, the problem is lessened, but recruitment is an ongoing process. Physicians already committed to the area are finding that private practice is riskier than it used to be.
Reimbursements are down, and malpractice insurance up.
Those who want to maintain their independence have to also be sound business people. And managed care has produced a mountain of paperwork for most providers. Many seek the umbrella of a health care organization, such as a hospital or large health care center, and work under a contract. This gives them a regular daily work schedule that sometimes includes being on call at the hospital, and benefits, without the hassles of paperwork and billing. Competition has all involved in health care primed for a new focus.