CEP 101 for Physicians

Why do physicians choose CEP?

CEP is unique compared to other groups in that it is a physician-owned, truly democratic partnership. CEP 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 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. Physician retention is excellent - most are "Partners for life" and work in CEP their entire professional careers.

CEP provides challenging work environments, desirable locations, superior practice support and contract stability. Each site enjoys significant autonomy regarding local practice decisions as well as easy access to a large comprehensive management infrastruucture and knowledge base of programs and proven administrative and operational solutions.

CEP's track record of success since 1975 demonstrates the stability of the Partnership with many long-term work opportunities for its physician Partners.

Why does CEP promote local group independence within a larger group?

CEP gives the local group the best of both worlds. CEP 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 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 offer compared to a single-site group?

CEP 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 Web site 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 advantage does CEP offer compared to other large groups?

First of all, CEP 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 Partnership. Any Full Partner is qualified to serve on the Board of Directors of CEP.

What kind of practice support does CEP offer?

In 1975, CEP 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 and MedAmerica have remained successful despite the downturn of physician practice management companies in the late '90s. In fact, CEP experienced its strongest growth in those years.

MedAmerica is not a traditional practice management company as it does not control governance, political structure or internal finances of its client, CEP. On the contrary, MedAmerica is owned by all CEP as a Partnership and the physicians who use its services for management support at each CEP client hospital emergency physician practice. There are no outside owners or investors in MedAmerica. As a CEP Partner, you have a say in the management and governance of the Partnership.

How does physician compensation in California 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.