Mixed Movement in Physicians compensation (some paid more, and some paid less)

MGMA survey: Primary and specialty-care physicians report mixed movement in compensation; radiologists report decreased compensation

By kcheung 

Created Jun 16 2011 - 10:49am 

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. June 14 2011- Primary and specialty-care physicians reported mixed movement in compensation in 2010, according to Medical Group Management Association's (MGMA's) Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data. Radiologists earned a median compensation of $471,253, a decrease of 1.58 percent, and physicians in internal medicine earned $205,379 in median compensation, an increase of 4.21 percent since 2009. MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production Survey Report is the gold standard benchmarking report in the industry. This year's report provides data on nearly 60,000 providers - the largest and most representative provider population of any physician compensation survey in the United States.

Other primary and specialty-care physicians reported mixed movement in 2010 [1]. Family practitioners (without obstetrics) reported median compensation of $189,402. Pediatric/adolescent medicine physicians earned $192,148 in median compensation, an increase of .39 percent since 2009. Anesthesiologists reported decreased compensation, as did gastroenterologists. Psychiatrists, dermatologists, neurologists and general surgeons were among specialists who reported an increase in median compensation since 2009.

Regional data [2]included in the report reveal compensation discrepancies among physicians based on geographic location. In the Southern region, primary and specialty-care physicians reported the highest earnings at $216,170 and $404,000 respectively. Primary and specialty-care physicians in the Eastern section reported the lowest median compensation at $194,409 and $305,575.

"A number of factors may attribute to regional differences in physician compensation," says Jeffrey B. Milburn, MBA, CMPE, MGMA health Care Consulting Group. The supply and demand for primary care or specialty physicians may influence compensation. A high level of competition between groups or specific specialties may provide an opportunity for payers to reduce reimbursement. In states where payers have little competition, reimbursement and subsequent physician compensation may be lower."

"Location desirability is another factor influencing competition and compensation," Milburn notes. "Some areas have a much higher ratio of physicians to population, and one might think this would lead to increased competition and lower compensation. But, the usual laws of supply and demand aren't always at work in healthcare."

For more than 25 years, MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production Survey Report has been the most respected benchmarking report in the industry. It offers detailed information, rigorous in-house data validation and analysis. This year's report provides data on nearly 60,000 providers - the largest provider population of any physician compensation survey in the United States. The 2011 report includes data for physicians and nonphysician providers in more than 150 specialties, including demographic categories ranging from geographic region and practice setting (in small, medium, and large groups) to years in specialty and method of compensation. The report also contains various performance ratios illustrating the relationship between compensation and production and data on collections for professional charges and work RVUs.

Note: MGMA surveys depend on voluntary participation and may not be representative of the industry. Readers are urged to review the entire survey report when making conclusions regarding trends or other observations.

Editorial copies of the report are available to qualifying media. Contact Liz Boten, media relations representative, at lboten@mgma.com [3] to request a printed copy of the survey. Click here [4] to purchase a copy of the report.

About MGMA [5]
MGMA is the premier membership association for professional administrators and leaders of medical group practices. Since 1926, MGMA has delivered networking, professional education and resources, and political advocacy for medical practice management. Today, MGMA serves 22,500 members who lead 13,600 organizations nationwide in which some 280,000 physicians provide more than 40 percent of the healthcare services delivered in the United States.

MGMA's mission is to continually improve the performance of medical group practice professionals and the organizations they represent. MGMA promotes the group practice model as the optimal framework for healthcare delivery, assisting group practices in providing efficient, safe, patient-focused and affordable care. MGMA is headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and maintains a government affairs office in Washington, D.C.

 

Links:
[1] http://www.mgma.com/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=1366514
[2] http://www.mgma.com/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=1366516
[3] mailto:lboten@mgma.com
[4] http://www.mgma.com/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?id=1366272&kc=PS11PR00
[5] http://mgma.com/about