Our Philosophy

Jefferson Physician Group (JPG) believes that Primary Care physicians must be proactive to preserve our future in health care.  We know that physicians must maintain our key role as patient advocate, and that quality care decisions must be made solely by physicians.  Primary Care physicians should have significant control over the health care delivery system in which they practice.  This is the only way to protect our patients and our profession.

Numerous managed care organizations have been started in this market during JPG's existence. These groups have been formed by hospitals, insurance companies and physicians. While some of these groups are still active, most have failed and none have captured a significant share of the market, or have attracted a substantial number of Primary Care physicians. JPG believes that a Primary Care Physician owned and operated organization is the only way PCP's can obtain what is best for Primary Care and our patients.

We believe that:

• Alone, the challenges are insurmountable; together, the rewards are imminently possible.
• Physicians have historically been very independent; now we must learn to work together to realize common goals.
• There is strength in numbers.
• We believe in a strong Primary Care team that places patient continuity above systems or politics.
• Physicians hold a powerful position as the primary contact between patients and the health care reimbursement system.
• Many physicians are acting out of fear (not education) and following their colleagues into business deals that will weaken Primary Care physicians' influence and opportunities.
• In order to maintain quality health care, decisions must remain in the hands of physicians.
• Primary Care physicians should own and control the managed care organizations in their communities. You are either going to be in control or be controlled.
• Primary Care physicians are competing against each other through small groups. This only weakens all groups.
• While Hospitals and Insurance Companies are merging for strength, they are attempting to keep Primary Care physicians in smaller competing groups, easier to control.
• The strength of any contracting group is directly related to the size and quality of the Primary Care pool.
• Education will facilitate our future success.
• Primary Care needs to lead, not follow.
• A Primary Care organization can give you better contracts emphasizing reimbursement for Primary Care physicians' specific needs.
• When a physician group participates in all managed care plans, the plans then compete only on price, driving down reimbursement to physicians.
• Primary Care physicians must say "NO" to bad contract language.
• Any short term benefit a physician may receive by signing an independent contract (outside of the IPA) will be lost in long term negotiations.
• A Primary Care organization can keep you in a better negotiating position with hospitals and specialty organizations.

The greatest benefit of belonging to this Primary Care organization is the reinvestment in your most valuable asset, your practice. JPG also provides us with a way to maintain the quality and control of our professional lives. 

From the immediate benefit of reducing overhead and improving contracts, to the long term goal of preserving control of our practices, Jefferson Physician Group is prepared for Primary Care Success .

As such, Jefferson Physician Group is an organization designed to carry us safely through the many changes in health care. We are committed to learn, to adapt and to achieve success. We invite you to join us. Together we are both better.