Frequently Asked Questions

MPA is a nationwide coalition of independent medical practitioners building collective bargaining power to negotiate fair reimbursement rates with insurance companies. The organization was founded by Julie, a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Arizona, after discovering that insurers pay dramatically different rates to different providers for identical work.

Insurance companies pay wildly different reimbursement rates to different providers for the exact same services—sometimes as low as $65 for one provider while paying another $225 for identical work. Individual providers have virtually no leverage to negotiate better rates on their own. MPA aims to change that by organizing providers into a collective force.

When a single provider asks for better rates, the insurer simply declines. Nothing changes because individual providers have no leverage. Insurers need providers, but they rely on the fact that providers negotiate alone and can be replaced one at a time.

The strategy follows the same model that hospital systems use every year. When one provider asks for a raise, the insurer can simply say no. But when 30% of a network threatens coordinated withdrawal, the insurer faces a crisis—they can’t replace hundreds of providers in 90 days or tell employer clients their members can’t access care. This creates real leverage to negotiate.

Yes. Hospital systems across the country negotiate as unified entities and consistently secure rates 40–60% higher than independent practitioners for identical services. MPA applies the same proven model to independent practitioners.

Three strong precedents support this approach:

• Phoenix Children's Hospital negotiates with every major Arizona insurer annually as a unified entity and consistently secures favorable rates.

• Hospital systems nationwide negotiate as unified entities and routinely achieve rates 40–60% higher than independent practitioners for identical services.

• Over a century of labor unions have proven that collective bargaining secures better wages, benefits, and working conditions across every major industry.

MPA operates as an attorney-structured collective bargaining LLC with legal counsel embedded in the framework from day one — not added on afterward. The organization describes itself as a business structure designed to win, not a protest movement.

According to industry sources: 41% of U.S. providers now see insurance denial rates above 10%; Medicare reimbursement for providers has declined 33% (inflation-adjusted) from 2001 to 2025, with another 6% reduction in 2025; and 58% of behavioral health executives report that minimal rate increases and payer cuts are among their most significant financial strains.

Phase 1 — Build: Members join and fund operations. MPA tracks enrollment toward critical mass. You receive intelligence, updates, and community access.

Phase 2 — Negotiate: Your state hits critical mass. Active negotiations begin. Members vote on strategy, proposed contracts, and next steps.

Phase 3 — Win: Collectively negotiated rates go into effect — or providers collectively withdraw. Either way, you're no longer negotiating alone.

MPA is launching in states with the worst reimbursement disparities first and building process with pilot groups before scaling nationwide.

MPA is open to all licensed independent psychiatric practitioners, counselors, and primary care physicians who accept insurance, including MDs, DOs, NPs, and PAs. The organization builds solidarity across credential types, rejecting the historical divisions between provider types.

The first 500 members pay $49/month, locked in permanently regardless of future price increases. After the first 500 members, there are three tiers:

• Founding Member ($49/month) – The entry-level tier for building critical mass.

• Alliance Member ($59/month) – Founding Member benefits plus participation in developing a self-funded health plan.

• Negotiating Member ($100/month) – Available by invitation when your state reaches critical mass for active negotiations.

Critical mass: Reaching enough of a payer's contracted provider network that the payer cannot afford to violate the contract.

Founding Members receive monthly enrollment progress updates for their state, reimbursement intelligence reports showing what insurers actually pay in their state, access to the member community, early notification when their state reaches critical mass, transparent financial reporting, and a priority invitation to upgrade to Negotiating Member when their state launches negotiations.

The Alliance Membership ($59/month) includes everything in the Founding Membership plus participation in developing a self-funded health plan. The additional $10/month funds actuarial analysis, TPA selection, stop-loss insurance, and plan reserves. The target launch is 18–24 months after 750 members enroll, with estimated annual savings of $6,700–$9,500 per member. This tier is intended for providers who are strongly considering joining the health plan.

The Negotiating Membership ($100/month) is available by invitation once your state reaches critical mass. Members participate directly in collective bargaining—voting on strategy, proposed contracts, and whether to collectively withdraw. Once we enter the negotiation process, participation is binding, otherwise we lose our negotiation power.

Voting rights depend on when you joined:

• Tier 1 (first 20% of critical mass): Full voting on strategy, tactics, and final contract terms.

• Tier 2 (next 20%): Vote on final contract acceptance or rejection.

• Tier 3 (remaining members): Guaranteed inclusion in negotiated rates, weekly updates, full participation in collective action, and equal benefit from rate increases.

The first 500 members pay $49/month, locked in permanently regardless of future price increases. Members 501–2,000 pay $59/month. After 2,000 members, new memberships cost $69/month. Only the first 500 get lifetime rate protection.

Visit medicalpractitionersalliance.com and sign up as a Founding Member for $49/month. The first 500 members lock in this rate permanently. You can also reach the team at info@medicalpractitionersalliance.com with any questions.

Yes. Founding Members and Alliance Members can cancel at any time with no penalty, with 30 days’ notice. There is no obligation to participate in negotiations.

MPA uses a data-driven approach, calculating critical mass thresholds for each state. Negotiations only begin when real leverage exists—meaning enough providers have joined to make a coordinated withdrawal credible. States with the worst reimbursement disparities are prioritized first.

You have three options: continue your membership for ongoing updates and intelligence reports, request a transfer to another state's group, or cancel your membership.

No. Upgrading to Negotiating Member is always your choice. You can remain a Founding Member and continue receiving updates without participating in active negotiations.

Negotiating Members vote on whether to accept or reject proposed terms — you have a direct voice in the outcome. However, participation is binding: all Negotiating Members agree to accept the collectively decided result, which is what gives the group real leverage at the table.

Negotiating Members revert to their $49/month Founding Member rate after negotiations conclude, or they can choose to cancel. However, securing one contract is only the first step. We will continue to renegotiate the rates as often as is outlined in the contract.