nternal medicine is a demanding specialty dealing with complex health issues that require extensive physician contact and care. My desire is to spend quality time with each patient in an unhurried office visit.

Unfortunately, with rising malpractice insurance premiums, increasing overhead expenses, and continued reductions in Medicare and insurance reimbursement, it is nearly impossible to continue providing this style of personal medicine in a traditional medical practice. Many of my colleagues have increased patient volume considerably to make up for lower reimbursements and higher expenses. I cannot imagine effectively addressing complex medical issues as well as preventive medicine in a 5-minute office visit, as many physicians must. A thorough physical exam and preventive medicine consultation requires extensive face-to-face time with your doctor.  The environment of higher costs and lower reimbursements has threatened my ability to give my patients the level of personal care required. This is why we founded SigmanMD.