Physicians in primary care specialties experienced a 2.8 percent increase in median compensation in 2009, according to a new Medical Group Management Association Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2010 Report Based on 2009 Data.
Physicians in specialty care continued to receive higher overall compensation levels, but specialties reported varied levels of compensation. Some specialists, including physicians in obstetrics/gynecology, invasive cardiology and hematology/oncology, reported flat or declining incomes. Conversely, physicians in dermatology, gastroenterology and orthopedic surgery reported an increase in compensation.
The differences in compensation movement may be due to some physicians' ability to offer elective procedures not covered by insurance and to collect the full fee at the time of service, according the MGMA. Increased compensation may also be a result of technology advances. For example, ophthalmologists received a 7.7 percent increase in 2009 as laser refractive surgery became increasingly popular.
"Despite a convergence of economic factors, employers' and payers' increased commitment to preserve the ability of primary care physicians to do their important work has allowed their compensation to keep pace with inflation," said William F. Jessee, MD, FACMPE, president and CEO of MGMA. "However, the continued threat of cuts to Medicare payments and its impact on private insurance reimbursement to all physicians impedes practices' ability to deliver quality care to an ever expanding patient population."
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Physicians in specialty care continued to receive higher overall compensation levels, but specialties reported varied levels of compensation. Some specialists, including physicians in obstetrics/gynecology, invasive cardiology and hematology/oncology, reported flat or declining incomes. Conversely, physicians in dermatology, gastroenterology and orthopedic surgery reported an increase in compensation.
The differences in compensation movement may be due to some physicians' ability to offer elective procedures not covered by insurance and to collect the full fee at the time of service, according the MGMA. Increased compensation may also be a result of technology advances. For example, ophthalmologists received a 7.7 percent increase in 2009 as laser refractive surgery became increasingly popular.
"Despite a convergence of economic factors, employers' and payers' increased commitment to preserve the ability of primary care physicians to do their important work has allowed their compensation to keep pace with inflation," said William F. Jessee, MD, FACMPE, president and CEO of MGMA. "However, the continued threat of cuts to Medicare payments and its impact on private insurance reimbursement to all physicians impedes practices' ability to deliver quality care to an ever expanding patient population."
Read more coverage of MGMA in Becker's ASC Review.
Physician Compensation in Academic Practice Trails Private Practice
MGMA Survey Finds Medical Practice Revenues Fell