The Business of Cardiology: Private Practice, APPs, Site Neutrality, and Physician Advocacy

Cardiology is changing: clinically, operationally, financially, and politically.In this MurmurMD discussion, Dr. Andrei Pop speaks with Cathleen Biga, past president of the American College of Cardiology and former president of Cardiovascular Management of Illinois, about the forces reshaping cardiology practice.The conversation covers Cathie’s path from bedside nursing to practice management, hospital leadership, cardiovascular service line growth, MedAxiom leadership, and becoming the first non-physician president of the ACC.But the core of the discussion is bigger than one career. It is about how cardiologists can better understand the business, policy, and team-based systems that shape daily practice.Cathie and Andrei discuss why private practice voices need to be involved in professional societies, why local ACC chapters and legislative advocacy matter, how MedAxiom helps practices learn from data and peers, how APPs can improve access and sustainability, and why physicians must understand site neutrality, fee schedules, technical fees, professional fees, and coverage decisions.The biggest takeaway:Physicians cannot expect the system to represent them if they are not involved in shaping it.KEY TOPICS• Cathie Biga’s path from bedside nursing to ACC president• Why leadership can come from many backgrounds• Private practice representation in the ACC• Getting involved locally through chapters and advocacy• Legislative conference and understanding policy• MedAxiom, practice data, and dyad leadership• APPs, access, training, and team-based care• Nocturnal APP coverage and reducing call burden• The possible return of independent cardiology practice• Physician autonomy, governance, and professionalism• Site neutrality and why it matters financially• Coverage decisions, RUC surveys, and physician engagement🔔 Subscribe for more insights from interventional experts and real-world program builders.📱 Download the app: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1586692687📺 Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfrLYhAhliQ2ZvXinkDCZvACHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction: Cathie Biga’s career and ACC leadership04:16 – Why private practice voices matter in the ACC09:43 – How cardiologists can get involved locally12:01 – Legislative conference and physician advocacy14:42 – MedAxiom, practice data, and dyad leadership18:43 – APPs, access, training, and team-based care23:01 – Nocturnal APP coverage and reducing call burden29:03 – Is private practice cardiology coming back?36:09 – Why independent practice can bring joy back to medicine39:34 – Site neutrality and why cardiologists should care46:03 – Coverage decisions, RUC surveys, and getting a voice53:37 – Why constructive engagement matters56:21 – Closing thoughts#Cardiology #CardiologyPractice #ACC #MedAxiom #PrivatePractice #TeamBasedCare #APPs #HealthcarePolicy #SiteNeutrality #PhysicianAdvocacy #CardiovascularCare #MurmurMD