Compensation for practice management professionals has remained static since last year, according to the Medical Group Management Association.
According to the MGMA’s “Management Compensation Survey: 2010 Report Based on 2009 Data,” practice administrators reported modest changes in median compensation in 2009. aAdministrators with seven to 25 full-time-equivalent physicians earned 0.3 percent less, while their counterparts with 26 or more FTE physicians reported a 2.3 percent increase in compensation.
Though compensation was generally static for most practice management professionals, the report said, some positions made gains in 2009 by taking on more responsibility. Five positions experienced increases in salary: aAssistant administrator, COO, office manager, human resources director and nursing services director.
“Clinical integration and greater complexity in healthcare appeared to drive salary increases for certain medical practice management professionals,” said William F. Jessee, MD, FACMPE, the MGMA's president and CEO. “These professionals likely took on a broader scope of responsibility in their positions as a result of continued economic pressures and changes in the healthcare environment.”
Executive managers who are MGMA members reported greater median compensation than non-member executives, as did senior managers and office managers who hold MGMA memberships. The survey showed that office managers with MGMA membership earned $13,272 more per year than their non-member counterparts, and finance directors with MGMA membership earned $942 more per year than finance directors without memberships.
When affiliated with the American College of Medical Practice Executives, the certification and standards-setting body of the MGMA, several managerial positions enjoyed increased compensation as well.
The survey also found that ACMPE-affiliated administrators in practices with seven to 25 FTE physicians and 26 or more FTE physicians)earned 21.2 percent and 24.6 percent more, respectively, than their counterparts who are not affiliated with the ACMPE.
Chief financial officers experienced the greatest compensation boost based on ACMPE affiliation, earning $59,328 more than their unaffiliated counterparts.