MGMA survey: Urologist compensation down nearly 5%

MGMA survey: Urologist compensation down nearly 5%

Publish date: Jun 30, 2011
Source: Urology Times E-News

Urologists saw their median compensation drop by 4.66% in 2010, recent survey results indicate.

Overall, primary and specialty care physicians reported mixed movement in compensation in 2010, according to results from the Medical Group Management Association’s physician compensation and production survey. Urologists earned $372,455, a decrease of 4.66% since 2009. Radiologists earned a median compensation of $471,253, a decrease of 1.58%, and physicians in internal medicine earned $205,379 in median compensation, an increase of 4.21% since 2009. Anesthesiologists and gastroenterologists reported decreased compensation while psychiatrists, dermatologists, neurologists, and general surgeons reported an increase.

Regional data 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, respectively.

"A number of factors may attribute to regional differences in physician compensation," said Jeffrey B. Milburn, MBA, of the MGMA. "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."

Getting doctors to rural communities

Editorial: Getting doctors to rural communities

Rising tuitions, lack of incentives are creating a shortage in primary care physicians that's nearing a critical stage.

By The Denver Post

Posted: 07/03/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT

A looming shortage of primary care physicians in Colorado — and around the country — is a knotty problem that calls for creative and careful policy prescriptions.

Already, Colorado needs nearly 200 more family doctors, mostly in rural areas. In a few years, as national health care reform kicks in, that doctor shortage will double.

The trend has not gone unnoticed by the state's policymakers and educators, who've taken steps to offer financial incentives and special courses of study to coax prospective doctors into primary care.

Their efforts will narrow the gap, but more must be done to ensure inner-city patients and those living in rural areas can see a doctor when they need to.

In Colorado, part of the problem is the cost of medical school. In-state tuition and fees at University of Colorado's medical school have more than doubled in the last decade. That figure for the 2010-11 school year was a whopping $33,089.

The increases in costs for those who go to CU's medical school at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora are directly related to a trend of deep cuts to higher education funding in Colorado. Upon graduation, medical students leave with an average of nearly $140,000 in debt — and a need to make money to pay it off.

That's one of the motivations for taking up lucrative specialties paying two to three times more than primary care.

CU's medical school has spent much of the past decade getting programs up and running to identify, educate and encourage students to go into primary care in underserved urban and rural areas.

Jack Westfall, associate dean for rural health at CU's medical school, says there are now some 35 students each year in these tracks, about 15-18 percent of each class of medical students.

Admissions preference is given to students who grew up in rural or underserved urban locations in Colorado, and students are taught some of the idiosyncrasies of practicing in these areas.

While the programs are a good start, it still will take some years and additional effort to meet the growing need for primary care doctors.

More funding for medical school and residency training programs, and federal and insurance reimbursement systems more favorable to primary care, also would help the situation.

Loan forgiveness for medical school debt is another way of addressing the economic incentives of practicing in primary care.

Colorado does have a loan forgiveness program through the Colorado Health Service Corps. It awarded $2.5 million in 2011 to a variety of health care professionals who commit to practicing for three years in an underserved area. This, too, is a good start, but not enough to eliminate the doctor shortage.

Primary care is an important foundational piece of the future of health care in this country, and more must be done to ensure there are enough doctors to provide it.

Oh Boy! 2010 Healthcare Law will cause real trauma for American Workers!

(Reuters) — PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) recently released its annual report on medical cost trends for 2012, and it is revealing.

1) The report shows health care costs and premiums continuing to rise-and uncertainty increasing for employers who offer insurance to their workers. Health care spending increased by 7.5 percent in 2010 and will grow by 8 percent this year.

2) In 2012, it will rise again by 8.5 percent. This is exactly the opposite of the President’s promise that his health care plan would reduce premiums by $2,500 per person.

3) Perhaps most concerning are the findings of a survey also released by PWC divulging how employers are likely to react to Obamacare. The survey showed that nearly half of employers will drop their coverage, dumping employees into the government-run exchanges.

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

Physicians leaving practices for health system employment

This writer has a finger on the pulse and trends of Medicine!

By kcheung

Created Jun 13 2011 - 2:03pm

By 2013, less than a third of physicians will be in private practice, electing instead for employment with larger health systems, according to a new report released today by management consulting company Accenture Health. The rate of independent physicians employed by health systems will grow by an annual rate of 5 percent over three years, according to the report.

Burdened by administrative responsibilities of their private practices, physicians are increasingly attracted to the resources that health systems offer, as well as manageable work weeks and job stability, notes the report.

The employment trend is spreading nationwide. For example, Texas last month lifted a statewide ban that now permits rural hospitals to employ physicians. For supporters of the legislation, SB 894 will attract physicians to underserved communities.

"We see an increasing number of physicians leaving private practice to join hospital systems, which will force all stakeholders to revise and refine their business models, product offerings and service strategies," said Accenture Health Senior Executive Kristin Ficery.

The trend of physician employment will require that hospitals adjust their recruitment and retention methods, especially in growing service lines, such as cardiovascular care, orthopedics, cancer care, and radiology, according to the consulting firm. In addition, Accenture anticipates that patients will increasingly shift their care from private practices to large health system settings.

The Healthcare Overhaul will be struck down in Atlanta!

The below article is showing that the Atlanta Federal Court will strike down the Healthcare overhaul! And they should. If I may...here is what America should do: Pay Physicians more, Pay Third party payor administrators less, Malpractice tort reform, and hold Americans accountable for keeping themselves healthy!

One more thing....The Government cannot force Americans to "buy" insurance (or anything else), the Commerce Act does dictate that The American Government can force me to spend my money! If first insurance, then what is next? Think about it!

By The Associated Press
Published: June 08, 2011
Updated: June 08, 2011 - 12:58 PM

ATLANTA (AP) - The latest round in the fight over President Barack Obama's health care overhaul was held Wednesday in the federal appeals court in Atlanta.

A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on whether to reverse a Florida judge's ruling that struck down the law. The judges seemed receptive to arguments from critics challenging the health reforms as unconstitutional during the three-hour hearing.

Some 26 states opposing the law and an alliance of small businesses argue that Congress didn't have the power to require virtually all Americans to maintain health insurance. The Justice Department says the legislative branch exercised its "quintessential" right.

A three-judge federal appeals court panel in Cincinnati heard arguments last week about whether the law's mandate to buy health insurance went beyond congressional authority, and a federal appeals court based in Richmond, Va. heard oral arguments May 10 in another legal challenge to the law.

Lawyers on both sides have said the cases ultimately will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. But the appeal court panel's decision in Atlanta is being closely watched and could help shape the debate.

There's considerable legal firepower on both sides of the argument. Former U.S. Solicitor Paul Clement represents the challenging states and current U.S. Solicitor Neal Katyal will speak for the government.

It unfolded in what's considered one of the nation's most conservative appeals courts. But the randomly selected panel includes two appointees of Democratic President Bill Clinton, and observers say it's hard to predict how they'll decide. The Clinton appointees are circuit Judges Frank Hull and Stanley Marcus, while Chief Judge Joel Dubina was tapped by President George H.W. Bush.

Two similar lawsuits are pending in Virginia. Three federal judges, all Democratic appointees, have upheld the law. Two federal judges, both Republican appointees, have invalidated it.

At issue Wednesday is a ruling by U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson, a Republican-appointed judge in Florida. It not only struck down a requirement that nearly all Americans carry health insurance, but it threw out other provisions ranging from Medicare discounts for some seniors to a change that allows adult children up to age 26 to remain on their parents' coverage.

A crush of people gathered outside the 11th Circuit nearly three hours before the arguments were held to guarantee a spot, and the court opened an adjoining courtroom for the spillover crowd. The courtroom was packed with high-profile attorneys and politicians, including Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, who sat in the front row.

The court also decided to temporarily suspend some of its own rules to sell $26 audiotapes of the arguments to those who want recordings of the court sessions.

Outside the federal courthouse in Atlanta, about 75 people gathered on the sidewalk carrying signs ranging from "Hands off my health care" to "No taxpayer funded abortion" and "Throw the socialist out of the White House." No chanting was permitted. One woman who repeated "No more Tea Party" was escorted away by a courthouse security officer.

Physician Interview Questions! What the physician should be asking!

Interview Questions and Prep!

(Print and take to the interview)

Be clear about what you want in terms of practice.

1) Practice issues include the setting (single- or multispecialty group, hospital staff, or HMO), the type of medicine you are seeking to practice, the kinds of colleagues you hope to work with, the patient load you're comfortable with, the payer mix, and call and administrative duties. But they also comprise the organization's style, philosophy, and financial viability, both short- and long term.

Write down your questions. Do not believe that bringing a list into the interview will convey insecurity. It won't. Interviewers will generally view your written questions as a sign that you took the trouble to prepare and that your interest in the job is sincere.

Among the questions to ask:

• What type of person are you looking for?
• Why is there an existing need for a ---------------, and can the area’s population support the practice?
• What's your practice philosophy (In regards to patients and physicians Quality of Life?)
• How does the practice assign patients?
• What percentage of my patients will be managed care. Medicaid? Cash/self pay?
• What's the typical age, education, and socio-economic level of the patients parents I will seeing?
• How many hours per week will I be expected to spend seeing patients in the office and in the hospital? Will I have to go to satellite locations?
• How many patients will I be expected to see in a week?
• How much call will I have?
• Will the hospital help my spouse find employment?
• Will the hospital help me find a suitable home in a good neighborhood?

Also ask subjective questions: "What do you like best about working here?" "What bothers you most about the job?" "What do you do for fun?" Don't be afraid to pose the same questions to a succession of interviewers. You may be amazed at the variety of answers. The diversity can give you a well-rounded look at the opportunity.

 Talk money last. You have to ask hard questions about the dollars at stake, but resist the urge to bring up the subject in the first half of the interview. It may make you seem mercenary (money hungry), and that is not good!.

Ideally, you shouldn't have to bring up money at all; that's the interviewer's job. But be prepared to take the lead. If the subject hasn't been raised by the end of the first full day of interviewing, introduce it: "Can we discuss finances? There are issues I'd like to address before I leave." Once you've broached the subject, get out your list:

• What's the starting salary?
• What's the signing bonus, if any?
• Is there a productivity bonus. How is it figured?
• Is there an income guarantee?
• What can I expect to make in, say, five years?
• What's the income-distribution formula?
• What costs will I be expected to assume. Individual malpractice insurance premiums? Tail coverage?
• What restrictive covenants will I be subject to?
• If there is a partnership being offered: How soon will I be considered for partnership. What formula determines the buy-in price?

Give positive feedback. If forced to choose between two equally qualified candidates, a practice will virtually always make its offer to the one who shows the most interest in the position and who seems most likely to accept it. Make your positive feelings known!

Be specific in your compliments: "Your office setup is very welcoming to patients." And if you really want the job, say so in no uncertain terms: "This seems like a wonderful place to practice. I know I'd be happy here."

Dress for success. The watchword is: conservative.

Women should wear conservative business attire. Shun miniskirts, spike heels, chunky jewelry, loud colors, and anything tight or revealing. Hair should be tamed; makeup, muted or absent; perfume, sparingly used. Otherwise, your fashion statement may conflict with your professional image.

Men should favor dark gray or blue suits or navy blazers and gray slacks. Shirts should be light blue, yellow, or white. Add a dash of pizzazz with your tie, if you like, but keep the pattern conservative. There's only one acceptable material for ties-silk. Socks should be dark, and long enough to cover your calf when you cross your legs. Shoes should be dark-and polished. Be shaved and barbered; your beard or mustache should be neatly trimmed.

Bring your spouse. The prospective employer should pay for your spouse to come along. If not, call me!

Because employers recognize that moving to another part of the country is a joint decision, they may ask your spouse to be present at some of the interviews. Your spouse should avoid taking charge and becoming an overly aggressive advocate. In one joint interview, the spouse talked too much, dominating the conversation and making the candidate seem meek and indecisive by comparison. The job went to someone else. Let common sense be your guide.