After two years of planning, the Medical Group Management Association, a professional society for administrators of medical group practices, and the American College of Medical Practice Executives, its standard-setting body, have merged.

MGMA-ACMPE, whose creation was announced Wednesday, said the consolidation of the two deeply intertwined, but formally separate, groups would increase operational efficiencies and let them do away with redundant budgeting, financial and other processes. It also allows MGMA members to apply for ACMPE-run board certification without paying separate dues or joining another group.

"Many of our members and their physicians are moving into new employment models where they will need different skill sets. As the largest professional membership association and the premiere certifying body of medical practice executives, we need to leverage our strengths to provide our members with the tools they will need to succeed in many different environments," MGMA's 2010-2011 board chair Shena Scott said in a statement.

Scott, and Alan D. Winkler, ACMPE's chair, are stepping down this year, but will serve as immediate past chairs and sit on the joint group's executive committee. Taking their place next year as co-chairs are Nancy R. Babbit, MGMA's vice chair and a consultant with Babbitt and Associates in Cumming, Ga., and D. Cheryl Erins, ACMPE's vice chair, and senior systems applications analyst with Sinai Medical Group in Chicago.

MGMA-ACMPE said it has about 22,500 members, who command organizations that provide 40 percent of the health care services delivered in the United States.

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