The Latest from Vital Signs: Healthcare provider pay increases, staffing challenges, GPOs and practice-payer relationships

Vital Signs is a monthly newsletter from AdvancedMD highlighting the healthcare industry’s top trends and insights. It’s our way of helping you stay informed.

There has been an abundance of healthcare insights revealed during the last few weeks. According to a Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) survey, 52% of medical group owners are satisfied with their practice’s work culture. Meanwhile, a “2025 Physician Staffing and Salary Survey” conducted by Physicians Practice found that 69% of medical groups received pay increases in 2024. In another report, Physicians Practice shared nine strategic actions providers can take to streamline patient payment processes. Healthcare Dive reported that Congress has extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities first introduced during the pandemic for six more months—but emphasized, “The short-term reprieve means continued uncertainty for providers.”

Here’s the full list of the insights we’ve learned in the last few weeks:

• Digital healthcare solutions, like telehealth, remote patient monitoring devices, and AI-powered tools are helping healthcare providers better manage hormone replacement therapy and its impact on cardiovascular health for menopausal women.
• A study published in the Annals of Family Medicine revealed more than 50% of patients would wait to see their primary care physician for follow-ups involving mental health, chronic conditions, or annual checkups.
• Physicians Practice shared nine strategic actions healthcare providers can take to improve patient payment processes, including offering multiple payment options and setting up patient payment plans.
• An MGMA survey of medical group owners found that nearly 30% do not survey their physicians on job engagement or satisfaction.
• According to Healthcare Dive, Congress has extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities that were first introduced during the pandemic for another six months. While telehealth groups are happy about the extension, the report emphasized that the “short-term reprieve” translates to ongoing uncertainties for healthcare providers.
• Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine conducted a study to determine the most effective approach for integrating genetic cancer screening processes into primary care programs. Their findings showed that a hybrid model, combining both point-of-care screening with proactive patient outreach, may be the best way for primary care practices to implement cancer risk assessments more effectively.
• The 2025 Staffing and Salary Survey from Physicians Practice revealed that 69% of respondents reported their teams earned raises last year.
• A recent Gallup poll revealed 31 million Americans borrowed $74 billion last year to pay their medical bills—nearly a third (28%) of the respondents said that they were “very concerned” that a major health event could put them in debt.
• Researchers from the Columbia University School of Nursing found that the number of nurse practitioners employed by primary care practices more than doubled between 2012 and 2023.
• Another MGMA survey discovered that 52% of medical group leaders are satisfied with their practice’s culture, and that nearly four in ten (39%) conduct annual checks on employee engagement and other culture-related measures.

Vital Signs is brought to you by AdvancedMD. It’s our way of helping you stay informed on the trends and insights that shape our industry. Each month, we publish a roundup of healthcare headlines so that you are in-the-know when it comes to the topics that matter most to you, your staff, and your patients.