Virtual Medical Office Assistants Overcome Staffing Shortfalls

Staffing shortages, and high turnover rates in a tight labor market, continue to significantly impact the medical industry. According to new data released in a Medical Group Management Association MGMA Stat poll, more than two fifths of respondents (41%) said their staff turnover rates increased in the past quarter, compared to 33% who said it stayed the same and 26% who reported turnover recently slowed. With no letup in sight, more practices are looking to virtual solutions to fill in gaps, improve workflow and boost their revenue cycle.

COVID-19 has accelerated this shift to more remote and hybrid work arrangements, and medical offices are no exception. The MGMA Stat Poll further revealed that 59% of medical group practices surveyed had shifted workers to permanent remote and/or hybrid work in 2021. This radical recalibration continues to move medical networks forward with more practices, and patients, becoming increasingly open to utilizing remote, and outsourced, services in new ways. Billing/coding, call center, scheduling, and other administrative positions have all been affected.