Physicians from larger practices get paid more on call than those from smaller practices, according to a new survey by the Medical Group Management Association.
The MGMA's annual Medical Directorship and On-Call Compensation Survey found that anesthesiologists make $450 per day in groups with 25 or fewer full-time-equivalent (FTE) doctors, compared to $660 per day in groups with 26-75 FTE doctors.
General surgeons in medical groups with 25 or fewer FTE doctors earn a median of $1,000 per day, and those in groups with 26-75 FTE physicians earned $1,475 per day.
The study also showed that one's specialty can affect a physician’s on-call compensation. Invasive cardiologists reported the highest median daily rate of on-call compensation at $1,600 per day on call. General surgeons earn a median of $1,150 per day and urologists earn $520 per day for on-call coverage.
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OB/GYN physicians in single-specialty practices receive median compensation that is twice that received by their peers in multispecialty practices ($500 versus $250, respectively), according to the study. Invasive cardiologists reported a 33 percent difference in median on-call compensation between single-specialty ($1,000 per day) and multispecialty groups ($750 per day).
Physicians are more likely to get paid daily or annually, the study found. Thirty-five percent of providers reported receiving on-call compensation daily (for the days they were on call) and 21 percent reported receiving an annual payment for on-call coverage in 2010.
"Despite the variability of on-call compensation based on location, specialty, group size and other factors, physicians now are more likely to be compensated for on-call coverage than in the past, and the amount is increasing year to year,” said Jeffrey B. Milburn, of the MGMA's Health Care Consulting Group. "Physicians realize the value of their time and services and are negotiating compensation for on-call coverage."
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Holiday and weekend on-call rates also varied by specialty, the study showed. Almost all reporting physician specialties receive higher holiday rates than weekend rates. Radiologists receive $700 more for a holiday rate than a weekend rate. Orthopedists earn a median compensation of $1,025 for holidays. OB/GYN physicians reported a median on-call holiday rate of $125.
The survey was based on data from 3,084 on-call providers in 264 medical organizations and 1,529 medical directorships in 255 medical organizations.
The MGMA is selling its report online here.
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