A survey by a Roseland law firm finds many New Jersey doctors battling a two-headed monster of increasing paperwork and declining income.

John Fanburg, a partner with Brach Eichler, says their survey shows doctors increasingly complain about the hassles and red tape of dealing with third-party providers, such as insurance companies.

Brach Eichler surveyed 126 New Jersey physicians in July and found 81 percent of the doctors cited increased administrative burdens in their practices as negatively impacting on their practice. And that was up from 39 percent in 2015. More than half, said that their income had decreased.

In a 2013 survey, more than 63 percent of doctors reported a reduction in their reimbursements. Almost half said they spend more and more time negotiating with insurance companies.

The Brach Eichler survey also showed nearly 1 in 2 doctors report declining income over the past year.

"We need to create a mechanism to help younger physicians afford their medical training and create an environment where the physicians get the opportunity to spend the time that they do need to do with patients to help and treat," Fanburg said.

In response, 44 percent of Jersey docs have changed their practice by merging practices or joining a hospital system. Of those who changed their practice, 24 percent integrated with another healthcare organization;10.4 percent contracted with a healthcare facility, and another 10.4 percent reduced staff.

The full results of the survey are at www.bracheichler.com.

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5. Contact him at Joe.Cutter@townsquaremedia.com

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