MGMA survey: Compensation remains static for medical practice management professionals

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. July 25, 2011-Median compensation for practice management professionals in 2010 showed little change from 2009, according to the Medical Group Management Association's (MGMA) Management Compensation Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data. Administrators in practices with six or fewer full-time-equivalent (FTE) physicians earned median compensation of $86,459, a slight decrease from 2009. Administrators in practices with seven to 25 FTE physicians reported median compensation of $115,000-an increase of only 0.28 percent from 2009. In larger groups (26 or more FTE physicians), administrators reported median compensation of $150,756.

Some medical practice management professionals reported slight increases in compensation, likely in recognition of expanded responsibilities. Business service directors, for example, reported a 5.7 percent increase in median compensation to $88,540. Branch/satellite clinic managers also saw a modest increase in median compensation to $57,510, up 2.57 percent. Marketing/communications specialists earned median compensation of $49,262, up 0.74 percent since last year.

"The generally static compensation of practice management professionals reflects the difficult economic environment faced by medical practices," said MGMA president and CEO William F. Jessee, MD, FACMPE. "Flat or declining revenues in the face of continuing increases in operating costs are forcing many practices to sell or close. For those that are able to survive, compensation levels are generally flat or declining."

MGMA's Management Compensation Survey: 2011 Report Based on 2010 Data includes data on 7,240 managers in 1,287 medical practices. The report contains expanded sections on information systems managers and professionals in integrated delivery systems, including compliance directors, nursing services directors, billing managers, and nursing managers. Compensation data can also be found by select single specialties, experience and education, and retirement contributions.

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 [email protected] to request a printed copy of the survey. Click here to purchase a copy of the report.

About MGMA
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's 21,500 members lead 13,700 organizations nationwide in which some 275,000 physicians provide more than 40 percent of the health care 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 health care delivery, assisting group practices in providing efficient, safe, patient-focused and affordable care. The American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE) is the standard-setting and certification body of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), and promotes the professional growth of leaders. By developing the Body of Knowledge for Medical Practice Management, ACMPE provides a central framework for MGMA resources. MGMA is headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and maintains a government affairs office in Washington, D.C. Please visit mgma.com.