Which of the following is NOT a recognized risk when accepting a capitated compensation plan?

In a capitated compensation plan, healthcare providers are paid a fixed amount for each patient enrolled over a certain period, regardless of the number of services provided. While this payment model has its advantages, such as encouraging cost-effective care, it also comes with certain risks.

Loss of patient autonomy is not typically viewed as a direct risk of capitated compensation plans. While some critics argue that capitation might incentivize providers to limit services in order to control costs, fundamentally, the model does not inherently reduce patient autonomy. Patients still retain the right to make decisions about their healthcare within the confines of the services offered by the provider.

On the other hand, the other options present recognized risks in capitated plans. For example, if the panel of patients is excessively large, it can lead to inequities among physicians as they may struggle to provide adequate care to every patient. There is also a concern regarding financial instability of providers, as a sudden increase in patient needs can strain resources. Additionally, the potential for patients to receive unnecessary services can arise if providers aim to exceed the minimum required care to enhance revenue.

Understanding these aspects helps to clarify why loss of patient autonomy is not regarded as a recognized risk associated with capitated compensation plans.