The Productivity Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight
Provider productivity is more than just a metric—it’s the engine that drives clinical, operational, and financial performance in today’s healthcare environment. Yet, according to a recent MGMA Stat poll, only 19% of medical groups surpassed their productivity goals last year. Even more alarming, 33% fell short of expectations.
If you’re a practice manager, you’re likely feeling this pressure firsthand. Reimbursement is tightening. Compliance demands are increasing. Staff turnover is constant. And amid all of it, you’re expected to maintain, or even increase, provider output.
Here’s the truth: If you’re relying on gut instinct, outdated productivity averages, or anecdotal feedback to drive staffing decisions, you’re not just behind—you’re vulnerable.
Why Provider Productivity Data Is Your Most Powerful Tool
There was a time when educated guesses were enough. Today, data must lead.
Healthcare administrators now have access to real-time benchmarking tools like the MGMA DataDive Procedural Profile, which brings precision to staffing, scheduling, and productivity forecasting. You no longer have to wonder:
- How many procedures your providers should be completing
- Where your productivity ranks among peer groups
- Whether your team is appropriately structured for volume and outcomes
The days of flying blind are over. In an industry where every RVU and reimbursable procedure counts, guesswork is not a strategy—it’s a risk.
The Hidden Barrier: Undersupported Providers
In my experience consulting with practices across Kansas and Missouri, productivity loss rarely originates with the provider. Instead, it’s a breakdown in the support systems surrounding them.
Too often, we see:
- Dental offices with empty hygiene chairs due to staffing shortages
- Front desks operating with skeleton crews, slowing patient intake
- High onboarding lag times that reduce provider throughput
These aren’t isolated issues. They are systemic. And they’re costing practices in both patient satisfaction and bottom-line revenue.
The Domino Effect of Poor Support Staffing
When support staff is thin or inconsistent, it impacts the entire practice:
- RVUs decline due to delays and gaps in patient flow
- Providers spend time on tasks that should be delegated
- Appointment slots go unfilled or start late
- Burnout accelerates, especially among high-performing clinicians
- Patient experience suffers—and so does retention
Provider productivity is the visible symptom of a deeper operational imbalance.
The AGA Group™ Approach: Data-Informed Staffing That Drives Results
At The AGA Group™, we don’t approach staffing as a “fill the seat” exercise. We treat it as a strategic performance lever, grounded in benchmark data, workflow mapping, and risk reduction.
Here’s how we work with practice leaders to shift productivity from reactive to intentional:
Benchmark-Based Hiring Decisions
We start with your current numbers and compare them to national standards. From there, we help you:
- Forecast needs based on patient volume and procedural capacity
- Justify new hires to executive leadership or boards using real-time data
- Avoid over-hiring or under-hiring by removing emotion from the equation
Hiring becomes evidence-based, not reactionary.
Flexible Temp-to-Perm Staffing Models
Our clients benefit from flexible staffing strategies that allow them to test-fit new hires before long-term commitments. With our 1,560-hour temp-to-perm model, you gain:
- Scalable staffing without financial risk
- Access to thoroughly vetted clinical and administrative professionals
- Seamless transition to permanent placement if the match is right
Optimizing Provider-to-Support Ratios
Every provider should be empowered by the team around them. We help practices assess and implement the right mix of:
- Providers (MDs, DDSs, NPs)
- Clinical support (RNs, MAs, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants)
- Administrative staff (Schedulers, Patient Coordinators, Billers)
When ratios are right, your providers operate at the top of their license—and productivity follows.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
The healthcare landscape is changing fast. Reimbursement is no longer based on volume alone; it’s tied to outcomes, care coordination, and efficiency.
Maximizing provider productivity today means:
- Reducing idle time between procedures
- Streamlining patient intake and checkouts
- Ensuring every clinical action is supported by a capable team
Provider productivity isn’t just a numbers game—it’s a reflection of your staffing, leadership, and operational foresight.
Final Takeaway: It’s Time to Let the Data Lead
If your productivity plan still leans on anecdotal evidence or “what worked last year,” it’s time to pivot.
With tools like MGMA DataDive and a workforce partner like The AGA Group™, you can transform uncertainty into strategy and turn productivity goals into predictable outcomes.
Stop guessing. Start aligning. And most of all—equip your providers to succeed.
Explore The AGA Group’s workforce solutions for provider productivity
About the Author
Greg Ikner is President of The AGA Group™, a boutique healthcare staffing and executive search firm based in Kansas City. With over 45 years of experience, Greg delivers high-touch, data-driven staffing solutions to medical and dental practices across Kansas and Missouri. His firm is known for aligning workforce strategy with provider productivity, helping clients hire smarter and perform better.
Learn more at https://www.agaexecsearchgroup.com
