Internists have had the highest gains in compensation, and radiologists have had the least, according to a new physician compensation survey by Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) released yesterday.
The "Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Date" included data from 60,000 U.S. providers. Calling it a "mixed movement in compensation in 2010," according to a press release, MGMA found that compensation for the past year differed by specialty and region for a variety of reasons. Geographic location revealed different supply and demand trends, competition between group s and specialties, and reimbursement variations.
The median compensations for certain specialties are as follows:
- Radiologists: $471,253, a decrease of 1.58 percent since 2009
- Family practitioners (without obstetrics): $189,402
- Pediatric/adolescent medicine physicians: $192,148, an increase of 0.39 percent since 2009
- Internists: $205,379, an increase of 4.21 percent since 2009
In additions to internists, psychiatrists, dermatologists, neurologists, and general surgeons reported increased compensation. Like radiologists, anesthesiologists and gastroenterologists saw decreases.
Last week, the Merritt Hawkins survey revealed that more than half (56 percent) of physician job openings are currently in hospitals.
Another study by Accenture Health last week that concluded less than a third of physicians will be in private practice by 2013, electing instead to for employment with larger health system.
The annual MGMA physician compensation survey is considered one of the go-to benchmarking sources the leadership looks to in determining pay for physicians. Many experts contend that although national reports are valuable, local factors should be considered when determining compensation.
To learn more:
- read the MGMA press release