Mark Lopatin MD, FACP, FACR, FCPP

Rheumatologist, Trustee for the Pennsylvania Medical Society Board of Directors, Health care advocate

- ABOUT -

Category(ies): Physician | Rheumatology

As a practicing rheumatologist, I knew NOTHING about politics until I was named in a frivolous lawsuit in 2000. Due to issues of joint and several liability and venue in place at the time, along with my naiveté in medical legal issues, I settled the suit. However, my anger at the system spurred me to become politically active, both in organized medicine and at a grassroots level. Initially I spoke and wrote primarily about tort reform, but over the years, that became less of an issue in Pennsylvania. Over the years, I have evolved. I have written numerous articles and op-eds regarding issues such as prior authorization, scope of practice, MOC, venue, cost transparency etc.. I have recently completed writing a book, entitled Rheum for Improvement which describes my journey. It should be available early in 2022. I am retired as of the beginning of 2021.

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"Health care should be a human interaction between a patient and a physician, rather than a business transaction between a consumer and a provider"

Mark Lopatin MD, FACP, FACR, FCPP

"Health care should be a human interaction between a patient and a physician, rather than a business transaction between a consumer and a provider"

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Book(s) or Blog

Book: Rheum for Improvement – The Evolution of a Health-Care Advocate.

Health care should be a human interaction between a patient and a physician rather than a business transaction between a consumer and a provider.

My SoMeDocs Content

Are Physicians Human?

Mark Lopatin MD: Sometimes I am going to say the wrong thing. I must learn to forgive myself when I do. Should I have made that statement to that patient? Absolutely not. I am a physician.

MOC – The One Thing ABIM Refuses to Change.

Mark Lopatin, MD shares: Under significant criticism, the American Board of Internal Medicine has made changes to their MOC program, but there is one critical change they refuse to implement.

Prior Authorization Compromises Patient Care

Mark Lopatin, MD: Prior authorization by insurance companies compromises patient care in a number of ways. Insurance companies must be held accountable for the medical decisions they make, just as physicians are accountable for the medical decisions we make.

What Is The Role of Health Insurance?

Mark Lopatin, MD: How much of a role should health insurance companies have in determining the care that an individual patient receives?

Price Transparency is Essential

Mark Lopatin, MD: health care is the only industry where a consumer does not find out the cost of a product or service until after they have purchased it. That needs to change.

The Devaluation of Physicians

Mark Lopatin, MD explains how we are systematically and deliberately being devalued by those who seek to control the health care dollar.

Physician Apathy – Who Cares

Mark Lopatin, MD: If physicians are not willing to fight to protect our profession, who will?

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