Newswise — ALEXANDRIA, VA-The American Medical Group Association (AMGA) announced significant growth in 2013, welcoming 43 additional medical groups representing nearly 8,000 physicians into membership. The association also continued to enjoy very strong retention with 94% of members renewing.

AMGA now represents approximately 435 of the nation’s largest and most prestigious medical groups, including 150,000 physicians treating approximately 120 million patients. This represents the 13th straight year of substantial membership growth for AMGA, providing further evidence of the value of membership and illustrating that its members are realizing the vision of dramatically improving population health and care for patients at lower overall costs achieved by high-performing and clinically integrated medical groups and health systems.

While the membership growth can be attributed to a variety of factors―including AMGA's accomplishments in its advocacy, quality, performance assessment, and performance improvement activities―one of the primary reasons is that AMGA is nationally recognized as the leader in the movement from volume-based to value-based care. The association’s seminal work in the development of accountable care organizations has made it the go-to organization for High-Performing Health Systems and other organized systems of care.

“In a time when many associations are struggling to maintain membership, AMGA’s retention and growth confirms that our mission and vision resonates with today’s healthcare systems and that we provide key programs and services to our members that will position them to succeed now and in the future,” said Donald W. Fisher, Ph.D., CAE, AMGA's president and chief executive officer. “That we are in the right place at the right time is no accident― a lot of hard work has gone into cultivating an environment that recognizes the value of coordinated, accountable care. AMGA is proud to assist members in sustaining successful operations and delivering the highest quality care and value to patients.. Being an AMGA member will continue to be a key component for medical groups as they strive to evolve into high-performing care organizations.”

By joining AMGA, these organizations now have access to unparalleled networking opportunities with peer organizations throughout the entire U.S. as well to a full slate of member benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs and publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. Organizations that joined AMGA in 2013 include:

AHS Oklahoma Physician Group, LLC (Utica Park Clinic) – Tulsa, OKApplecare Medical Group - Buena Park, CAAtlanticare Physician Group - Egg Harbor Township, NJCentral North Alabama Health Services – Huntsville, ALCHRISTUS Provider Network – Irving, TXClinics of North Texas - Wichita Falls, TXCommunity Physician Group – Missoula, MTConcentra – Addison, TXConway Physicians Group - Myrtle Beach, SCDoctor's Medical Center, Inc - North Miami, FLEastern Maine HealthCare System – Brewer, MEFerrell-Duncan Clinic – Springfield, MOGenesis Health Group – Bettendorf, IAGood Shepherd Medical Associates – Longview, TXGranite Medical Group – Quincy, MAHeritage Provider Network - San Bernardino, CAKish Health Physician Group – DeKalb, ILLima Memorial Health System – Lima, OHLourdes Physician Group – Lafayette, LAMartin Medical Group – Stuart, FLMaui Medical Group – Wailuku, HIMidWest Orthopaedics at Rush – Westchester, ILMonarch Healthcare – Irvine, CANAMM California – Ontario, CANorth Country Hospital – Newport, VTNortheast Georgia Physicians Group – Gainesville, GANortheast Medical Group – Bridgeport, CTPremier Medical Group – Clarksville, TNThe Queen's Health System – Honolulu, HIRiver City Medical Group – Sacramento, CASacred Heart HealthCare System – Allentown, PA Sacred Heart Medical Group – Pensacola, FLShaw Center for Women's Health – Thomasville, GASouthboro Medical Group – Southboro, MASouth Shore Medical Center – Norwell, MASSM Medical Group - St. Louis, MOSt. Elizabeth Physicians – Gonzales, LASt. Francis Medical Group – Monroe, LASt. Luke's Health System – Boise, IDSt. Peter's Health Partners – Albany, NYTrinity Professional Group – Steubenville, OHUPMC – Pittsburgh, PA Western Connecticut Medical Group – Bethel, CT

“We are very excited for these groups to get involved in AMGA, and we know that membership will provide them with the resources they need to succeed in the new era of value in health care,” said Ryan O’Connor, AMGA’s vice president, membership and marketing. “One of the resources we’re offering in 2014 is a series of regional meetings with the theme, ‘Succeeding in Medicare Advantage and Value-Based Health Care.’ In a very volatile market, it is key for our members to share strategies with their peers as they plan and implement payment models that reward delivering better care at a lower cost.”

The American Medical Group Association is a 501(c)(6) trade association representing medical groups, health systems, and other organized systems of care, including some of the nation's largest, most prestigious integrated delivery systems. AMGA is a leading voice in advocating for efficient, team-based, and accountable care. AMGA members encompass all models of organized systems of care in the healthcare industry, including: physician-owned, independent group practices, integrated delivery systems, hospital-affiliated medical groups, independent practice associations (IPAs), academic and faculty practices, accountable care organizations, and high-performing health systems. More than 150,000 physicians practice in AMGA member organizations, providing healthcare services for 120 million patients (approximately one in three Americans). Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, AMGA is the strategic partner for these organizations, providing a comprehensive package of benefits, including political advocacy, educational and networking programs, publications, benchmarking data services, and financial and operations assistance. www.amga.org