Member Resources

Payment Resolution

Put the Academy’s in-house staff expertise to work for you and your practice when you need help resolving a payment issue.

Sometimes it is as simple as connecting with the right person who can act with authority on behalf of the payer. Other times, the influence of a 2,300-member organization can compel an insurance company to engage in productive dialogue when an individual physician or small group family practice cannot.

TNAFP has valuable connections with the major payers and will serve as your liaison and advocate when you have exhausted all other measures. From uncovering payer hassles to identifying practice-based improvements to correct and prevent denials, TNAFP will advocate on your behalf to escalate issues and work toward a successful resolution.

As a certified coder and auditor, TNAFP Director of Member Services Karen Baird has the knowledge and experience to review claims and medical records to help practices identify causes for payment and auditing issues and develop a remediation plan. She is also certified in healthcare compliance and can advise members on compliance-related matters.

Available services for TNAFP member physicians:

• Direct support for resolving payer-related reimbursement disputes
• Independent, influential liaison between physician practices and payers
• Claim review and consultation
• Advising on auditing and compliance issues

Payroll, HR and Employee Benefits

Family physicians – especially those in private practice – face increasing administrative demands while balancing patient care, staff management and practice growth. Paychex provides comprehensive payroll, HR and benefits solutions designed to help simplify day-to-day operations and give time back to doctors so they can focus on what matters most. Spend less time managing paperwork and more time caring for patients.

TNAFP members can save 20% on Paychex services. To discuss your practice’s needs, contact Abby Anderson at aeanderson@paychex.com or connect with us here: Paychex Referral.

Value-Based Care

Cumberland Center for Healthcare Innovation (CCHI) is a TNAFP Preferred Partner. CCHI is a physician-led Accountable Care Organization started by Tennessee family physicians with the explicit purpose of helping independent medical practices remain independent and financially solvent. CCHI is uniquely comprised of independent primary care providers who provide high-quality healthcare to economically disadvantaged and underserved rural communities. Altogether, CCHI provides care for patients that reside in over half the state of Tennessee through their Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP), Medicare Advantage, and commercial contract relationships. Their unique model allows small clinics and groups to successfully navigate value-based care models to increase quality of care and generate additional revenue. From the start of their MSSP participation in 2012 to present, CCHI has successfully saved Medicare approximately $95 million and was ranked the #1 solely owned and operated ACO in Tennessee for Quality and Savings Rate in Performance Year 2022.

Legal Services

TNAFP has established a referral arrangement with Parker | Lawrence, a 45-year-old general civil practice law firm in Nashville, to connect members with professional legal counsel at discounted hourly rates exclusively for TNAFP members. Hourly rates will be steeply discounted for the first three (3) hours. After the first three (3) hours, if appliable, rates will be increased but will continue to be discounted compared to market rates.

TNAFP engaged the firm specifically as an employment contract review resource for graduating residents and other physician members changing practice environments. Parker | Lawrence attorneys are available to consult and assist on any situation within their practice areas, however, including reviewing and interpreting employment contracts and related agreements, severance agreements, general employment law matters, and representing clients in employment-related litigation. The firm also has other practice areas, including but not limited to wills, probate, and estates.

Visit plcslaw.com to learn more about the firm or contact Brad Gilmore (bgilmore@plcslaw.com) directly for a consultation.

Insurance

The American Academy of Family Physicians has endorsed the AAFP insurance program for more than 60 years to offer members access to a wide range of customized insurance options, including disability, life, health, long-term care, auto and homeowners insurance products, plus a member retirement savings program. AAFP Insurance Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the AAFP Foundation with governance from the AAFP Finance & Insurance Commission and a board made up of Academy members, so the program is uniquely focused on family physicians.  

Physician Insurance & Employee Benefits

BDI Advisors is an independent insurance and employee benefits firm that specializes in working with Tennessee physician practices for over 30 years. If you are a physician purchasing coverage or starting a practice, we offer discounts on personal disability, practice overhead and life insurance products to members of the TNAFP. For practices offering employees benefits, we will personally assist you with building an affordable benefits package that fits within your budget. The insurance landscape has become increasingly difficult. Having a personal representative that will meet with you personally to assist with the implementation and management of your coverages is our expertise.

Medical Malpractice Insurance – SVMIC

SVMIC is the premier provider of medical malpractice in the southeast. As a mutual company, each one of our members has a say in how we utilize our resources, provide ongoing education and protect the best interests of our policyholders. Our mission is to protect, support and advocate for physicians and other healthcare providers. SVMIC provides a strong legal defense, superior coverage, physician ownership , financial stability and outstanding member services.

Medical Practice Consulting – DoctorsManagement

DoctorsManagement is a comprehensive consulting firm dedicated to empowering healthcare organizations and professionals with the tools and expertise they need to thrive in an ever-changing industry. Established in 1956, the firm combines decades of experience with cutting-edge strategies to deliver tailored solutions for medical practices, hospitals, and healthcare businesses of all sizes. The firm’s services span a wide array of specialties, including medical practice management consulting, compliance programs, financial and revenue cycle management, coding and billing optimization, risk management, and strategic planning. With a team of seasoned consultants, certified coders, and compliance experts, DoctorsManagement emphasizes a client-focused approach, customizing solutions to align with each organization’s unique goals and challenges. Their mission is to enhance operational efficiency, optimize financial performance, and ensure long-term sustainability for healthcare providers.

Banking Services

First Horizon Bank provides tailored financial strategies for the unique needs of physicians and healthcare professionals. Our Medical Private Banking team specializes in serving family practices, residents, surgeons, and practice management firms—offering solutions designed to support every stage of your career and practice growth. As part of our commitment to TNAFP members, our associates deliver expert guidance, flexible lending, comprehensive financial services, and practice support. Whether you are establishing your career, expanding your practice, or planning your estate, our client-focused approach ensures your financial needs are understood and prioritized by a team who specializes in serving medical professionals. Connect with our Medical Private Banking associates to learn how our expertise can help you achieve your financial vision.

IT Services

👩‍⚕️Worry-Free IT for Your Family Practice

Powered by CloudSmart IT | Big IT Power. Small Business Heart.

Running a family medical practice is hard enough without having to worry about your computers, cybersecurity, or whether your patient data is protected. That’s where we come in.

At CloudSmart IT, we specialize in HIPAA-compliant, worry-free IT tailored to Tennessee’s independent medical practices. From the front desk to the back office, we provide the same enterprise-grade protection and support the big hospital systems use—without the enterprise price tag.

Here’s what you get with CloudSmart IT:
🛡️ Security First: We wrap your systems in multi-layered protection, including 24/7/365 cybersecurity monitoring, encrypted email, Microsoft 365 backup, and spam filtering.
🖥️ UserCare Support: Your staff gets fast, friendly help from our Nashville-based Helpdesk Heroes—with just one click of the built-in Help Button. No portals. No headaches.
🔌 Network & Compliance Management: Firewalls, Wi-Fi, backups, and HIPAA safeguards? Handled.
📞 Smart Phone Systems: Modern cloud-based phones with voicemail-to-email, call routing, auto attendants, and easy support.

We speak “non-techie” fluently—so your team doesn’t have to. Whether you’re a solo doc or a 50-person clinic, we keep your tech running securely, efficiently, and affordably—so you can focus on patient care.

🔹 Let’s Make IT Easy for You.

Schedule a 10-minute discovery call at cloudsmartit.com or call 615‑610‑3500.
We’ll show you how stress-free IT can really be.