Monday, February 18, 2013
If you're a financial advisor working with physician clients, prepare for some big changes. The era of cold-calling doctors and wandering the halls of the hospital are drawing to a close.
You're about to experience the ripple effect of the Sunshine Act. This piece of legislation finalized Feb 1, 2013 is a part of the Affordable Care Act--also known as ObamaCare. It requires pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers to track and report gifts to doctors.
A physician who accepts pens, free drug samples and nice dinners may be more likely to prescribe the gift-bearer's medication rather than a more cost-effective alternative. This leads to higher health care costs.
Now there will be a public record of which physicians accept gifts greater than $10 from which medical vendors.
To avoid the potential for ethical violations, increasing numbers of hospitals, clinics and medical groups ban visits from pharmaceutical and medical device sales reps. Medical gatkeepers are being coached to deflect calls from sales people. In their eyes, there's little difference between a pharmaceutical sales rep and a financial advisor.
Physicians need financial advisors more than ever. Financial advisors working with physicians enjoy significant financial, personal and professional rewards.
The Sunshine Act means that success will shine on the financial advisors with smart practice-building strategies and consistent execution of proven tactics.
Vicki Rackner MD, President of www.TargetingDoctors.com helps financial advisors acquire physician clients and keep them for life. This nationally-noted speaker, author and coach can be reached at (425) 451-3777. Sign up for free marketing tips at www.TargetingDoctors.com