June 25, 2010

Primary care physicians in the nation saw their compensation keeping pace with inflation in 2009 while specialists saw both increases and declines according to a recent national survey.

The Medical Group Management Association’s (MGMA) Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2010 Report Based on 2009 Data shows that median compensation for primary care physicians rose 2.8 percent in 2009.

While specialists typically earn higher incomes than primary care doctors, some saw their pay decline last year. Obstetricians/gynecologists, invasive cardiologists and hematologists/oncologists experienced either no increase or lower pay.  OB/GYNs had a 1.1 percent lower median compensation in 2009. Invasive cardiologists saw a .2 percent decrease. Doctors practicing hematology/oncology have only seen a 2.2 percent increase overall since 2005, reflecting several years of no increases.

One of the biggest growth areas in physician compensation was for dermatologists who had a 12.2 percent increase on top of consistent increases over the last few years. MGMA speculates one reason for this may be that dermatologists perform elective procedures that are not covered by insurance and the providers are paid a full fee at the time of the procedure.

Ophthalmologists also had a jump in pay, 7.7 percent in 2009. That may be due to more demand for laser refractive surgery and other services not covered by insurance.

While for now doctors’ pay checks have been keeping up with inflation, that that may become more difficult as the number of people seeking medical care increases, said William F. Jessee, MD and President and CEO of MGMA, in a press release.

“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,” he said.

MGMA has been surveying physician compensation for more than 25 years. This year’s report is based on data from almost 60,000 providers in more than 110 specialties.