MGMA Report on Physician Compensation

MGMA will release their annual report next month, Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data. While the data obviously varies significantly by specialty, one common trend is geography. The report found that median compensation was highest in the southern states for both primary care physicians and specialists.

Another trend the report sited was the increase in physicians moving to hospital employed positions as opposed to starting solo practices or joining existing private practices. This has been discussed frequently over the last several months in multiple media outlets.

Whether physicians are looking for their first job out of training or looking to change positions, there are so many other factors aside from compensation they need to take in to consideration. Quality of life is a big factor many younger physicians are seeking in their job search. Shared call, guaranteed salary, vacation, and location are all important to provide physicians a balance in their life.

The private practice model is not completely dying out, there will always be a market for physicians who want to have full control over their practice and how they operate. It also doesn’t necessarily mean working 80+ hours per week to make decent income. Physicians can still enjoy a good quality of life in a private model with shared call and managed care organizations.

Whatever physicians today are seeking in their job search, there are many employment models to choose from. Models can sometimes be negotiated to in order to tailor to a physician’s preferences. It’s important with the changing healthcare environment both physicians and hiring organizations, whether they be hospitals, academic institutions, or private practices, are flexible in their negotiations to ensure both parties make a successful, long term placement.

Read the full article in HealthLeaders Media, or click here: http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/content/TEC-267467/MGMA-Mixed-Movement-on-Physician-Compensation##