From Capitol Hill to the Clinic: Incoming MGMA Board Chair Jeff Smith on Burnout, Prior Authorization, and the Future of Care

In this episode of the MGMA Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Jeff Smith, CEO of Piedmont Healthcare and incoming MGMA Board Chair, to discuss pressing challenges in healthcare, including physician burnout, administrative burden, and the future of independent practices. Smith shares his firsthand experience testifying before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, where he advocated for policy changes to reduce prior authorizations, increase Medicare reimbursement with inflationary adjustments, and restore respect for physicians as the 'quarterbacks of care.' Drawing from his family’s deep roots in healthcare—his wife’s nursing career and his daughter’s work as a primary care physician—he emphasizes the emotional and operational toll on frontline staff, especially front desk workers who juggle insurance, mental health support, and HIPAA compliance. Smith calls for a renewed focus on member engagement, fairness in payment models, and systemic reforms to make medicine sustainable and attractive for new physicians. He underscores that while data and quality programs like MIPS are well-intentioned, they often feel like bureaucratic games that don’t improve patient outcomes and instead deepen burnout. The episode highlights a pivotal moment in MGMA’s evolution as it prepares for its 100th anniversary, with Smith committed to reconnecting with members and reigniting their passion for the organization. Key takeaways include the need for annual, inflation-adjusted Medicare updates, reducing prior authorization hurdles, and empowering independent practices through fair compensation. Smith also reveals a personal insight: even as a CEO, he’s humbled by his daughter’s role as his boss in a shared practice, a dynamic that underscores the human side of healthcare leadership. The conversation ends on a hopeful note—while Washington may not always grasp the nuances of clinical workflows, sustained advocacy and personal storytelling can move the needle.