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Physicians & Residents :: Why Join CEP AmericaCEP America (CEP) is a democratic, physician-owned partnership dedicated to providing the best in emergency care for patients, the best in emergency department management and staffing for hospitals, and the best practice locations and management support for emergency physicians. CEP AMERICA 101 FOR PHYSICIANS
Why do physicians choose CEP America?CEP America is unique compared to other
groups in that it is a physician-owned, truly democratic partnership. CEP America has provided stable,
highly satisfying work opportunities for hundreds of emergency physicians for
over 30 years. Each physician is a Partner from the day he or she works the first clinical shift at a CEP America site. Every Partner
has an opportunity to gain equal ownership with other long-term Partners.
In short, all Partners collectively own their contracts in CEP America.
Physician retention is excellent - most are "Partners for life" and work in CEP America their entire
professional careers.
Why does CEP America promote local group independence within a larger group?CEP America gives the local group the best of both worlds. CEP America provides local physician group autonomy over ED management, allocation of administrative stipends, work schedules, and selection of physician staff. At the same time, access to proven programs and solutions is readily available. CEP America has developed many innovative products and services that can be customized to address the unique practice management needs of each emergency department. What advantages does CEP America offer compared to a single-site group?CEP America physicians are owners of their contracts with opportunities for clinical work at other contracts if desired, career advancement in various administrative roles, and participation in governance of the Partnership. The ability to pool Partner resources has enabled the Partnership to invest in the development of programs and products that would be cost prohibitive to a single-site group. The password-protected Partner section of the CEP America website places a wealth of information and resources at your fingertips, 24x7, including access to the Partnership program manuals, online compliance education, and a Best Practices Library. What advantages does CEP America offer compared to another large group?First of all, CEP America physicians are Partners and owners, NOT employees. It is a truly democratic partnership where no physician can own a controlling interest in the Partnership. All administrative Partners are appointed or elected to their positions. There are no outside owners, investors, or any non-physicians who receive income or profits of any kind from the CEP America Partnership. What kind of practice support does CEP America offer?
In 1975, CEP America created MedAmerica, a practice management
support company, to provide resources at its practice locations. This support includes: billing support,
information technology, marketing expertise, clinical support systems, recruiting,
credentialing, compliance programs, best practice protocals/guidelines, and financial
services. As a result of these cost-efficient resources, CEP America and MedAmerica have
remained successful despite the downturn of physician practice management
companies in the late '90s. In fact, CEP America experienced its strongest growth in those years.
How does CEP America's physician compensation compare nationally?The democratic nature of the Partnership, low overhead, and strong reimbursement optimization attract talented, high-quality physicians. This leads to a very competitive income, consistently higher than averages quoted from recently published surveys. 
The fact that CEP America owns its own billing company, MedAmerica
Billing Services, Inc., further contributes to this superior compensation level.
Teams at the billing company are dedicated to each site and work with the local medical
director and physicians to provide proper coding, documentation, and compliance to maximize collections
for services. How does a physician advance to a leadership position in CEP America?CEP America offers opportunities for Partners to participate in leadership on the Board level, through committees, and on a regional or local level. Additionally, CEP has developed a Leadership Academy to help prepare physician Partners for more prominent roles in CEP America, such as Regional or Medical Directors. The academy offers leadership techniques for interacting with fellow physician Partners and hospital administration. Key points about physician leadership and emergency department management are emphasized. All CEP America and MedAmerica resources available to support the Medical Director and each practice site are also highlighted in this comprehensive program. How does CEP America help its sites deal with the complexities of healthcare, such as regulatory and contractual issues?
CEP America has more than 30 years of regulatory and contractual expertise. This
contributes to CEP's vast knowledge base of reimbursement scenarios in different states.
CEP America and MedAmerica's team of management experts has been successful in negotiating better managed care
contracts -- a benefit of being affiliated with a large partnership, which is knowledgeable
about market rates and contract terms. CEP America can assist
Partners and clients in preparing for a Joint Commission inspection, including a review of department
preparedness, summary of findings, and consultation with department management to assist
in correcting deficiencies noted.
What kind of malpractice insurance program does CEP America offer?CEP America 's successful solution to rising malpractice issues is another example of "the power of partnership." In 1992, CEP formed a professional liability insurance company that is owned by its physician policyholders (not the CEP Partnership). MedAmerica Mutual Risk Retention Group, Inc., a Best's rated A- (Excellent) liability insurer, has grown dramatically since its creation and covers over 50 CEP sites. CEP's competitive rates reflect their excellent medical malpractice experience which is augmented by comprehensive loss control and risk management. The staff at MedAmerica Mutual provides individual support for and attention to each CEP physician. The group can also offer guidance on how to minimize the impact of patient complaints and how to deal with negative outcomes. How is CEP America governed?The Partners elect the Board; the Board appoints the Chairman. Three Board positions stand for election each year. Various committee members are also appointed by the Chairman of the Board. 
How does CEP America operate?The Board appoints the President. There are a number of management positions in CEP America which provide the day-to-day operational oversight of the Partnership and its many ED and Ambulatory Care contracts. All of CEP America's management is comprised of physicians who are appointed to their positions, continue to work clinical shifts, and are subject to annual evaluation. 
How can I get more information about joining CEP America?
Physicians interested in career opportunities with CEP America, please check out our Career Opportunities Page or contact John Gravette, Recruiting
Director, at 800.842.2619. What are physicians saying about CEP America?
--Howard Friedman, MD, Pomona Valley Hospital
--Armando Samaniego, MD, Medical Director, St. Rose Hospital
--Bret Ginther, MD, Assistant Medical Director, Inland Valley Medical Center
--Barbara Victor, MD, Regional Director, Orange Region
--David Bolivar, MD, Medical Director, St. Mary Medical Center
--Steven Kim, MD, Assistant Medical Director, Inland Valley Medical Center
--Theo Koury, MD, Medical Director at John Muir Medical Center and former Chairman of the New Partner Committee
--Eric Greenberg, MD, French Hospital Medical Center and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital
--Tom Umemoto, MD, Pomona Valley Hospital |
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"When I joined CEP 22 years ago, all I wanted to do was get a good job and practice emergency medicine. While I am still a pit doc through and through, CEP has also given me the opportunity to become involved in the administrative aspect of the Partnership by appointing me to the Credentials and Partnership Affairs Committee (CPAC) five years ago. Now, as the Chairman of CPAC, I have been given the chance to make the Partnership an even better place than when I joined. Becoming part of CEP was one of the best things I have ever done."
"I have worked for several other physician groups throughout my career, and I believe that no other group is as open and democratic as CEP. At CEP, physicians are truly partners with a vested interest, not employees for a large impersonal organization. As a partner, you enjoy access to organizational information, including financials and operational data; consequently, partners build a strong feeling of ownership in the business. Partners also benefit from access to the wealth of experience in the leadership team, and from the outstanding support of CEP's top-rated services company, MedAmerica.In my opinion, CEP is an outstanding choice!"
"When I joined CEP, I was looking for a stimulating practice environment with a group that values its Partners as a long term investment. What I found was that CEP not only endeavors to treat Partners with all of the fairness of a democratic group, but that opportunities to contribute to our specialty exist in a way that only a group of this size could offer. I am proud to be associated with a group dedicated to integrity and innovation in emergency medicine."
"I have had the pleasure of experiencing the opportunities that CEP has to offer. I have grown as a physician and understand more about the business end of the partnership than I ever expected. CEP gives a template to expand in a career with many options to diversify and prosper. I can honestly say CEP has the greatest opportunities in Emergency Medicine."
"I've been an emergency medicine physician in the Inland Empire region since 1981 and spent a large part of my career with a different medical group. During the last 10 years, I frequently interacted with CEP physicians and always had a lot of respect for their commitment to providing top quality care and the democracy of their partnership. Their core values and philosophy on patient care mirrored those of my own. Now that I'm a Partner with CEP, I interact with the best and brightest physicians in California and we are clinically and academically challenged daily. I'm proud to finally call myself a CEP Partner."
"It is reassuring to know that CEP is committed to the future of the partnership by taking steps to groom newer, younger Partners for leadership positions. The Medical Director Academy and the New Partner Liaison Program are examples of this commitment. As a graduate of the Medical Director Academy, CEP provided me with the tools and resources needed to effectively serve my partnership. Though I have been with CEP only three years, I am already the Assistant Medical Director at my site - an opportunity I probably would not have had elsewhere. It feels good knowing that I am playing a direct role in shaping the future of our partnership and how we practice emergency medicine. "
"As a young physician who had just finished residency, I feared that by joining a large group, I would be “lost in the mix” and wouldn't have a say in matters regarding the day-to-day function of our practice or the group's overall business affairs. I would simply be an employee of a company that does not have my best interests in mind. What I have found is just the opposite. In CEP, every Partner has the opportunity to make an impact, both at a local level and at the larger partnership level. As Chairman of the New Partner Committee, I think the most compelling feature that exemplifies CEP’s principles of a democratic partnership is its New Partner Committee. The main goal of this committee is to explore and address the needs and challenges unique to new Partners. It illustrates a true partnership that is always seeking ways to hear and respond to every Partner's voice. CEP has offered me a very gratifying career that continuously presents new opportunities."
"CEP's core values and philosophy parallels my expectations for the type of emergency medicine that I want to practice-equal fairness throughout the entire partnership. CEP has given me a voice since day one, and seeks to help new Partners achieve their goals and meet their expectations. Another advantage of CEP is the group's high caliber of physicians-CEP has aligned me with some of the most talented physicians in the entire field of emergency medicine. Joining CEP has provided me with a stable work environment in a great location in California. "
"I chose CEP, first and foremost, because it is a democratic partnership. Speaking with my fellow program graduates, I heard of so-called “democratic partnerships” that turned out to be more like dictatorships. Because the group is so well-established, it was easy to obtain the information on CEP I needed to make a decision; all the facts were readily accessible to me. Secondly, I wanted to be involved with a group that fostered career-advancement and allowed me to pursue other opportunities in the field of emergency medicine. Lastly, I wanted to become a part of CEP’s high-caliber physician network. "