SullivanCotter Insights Reveal Rising Trends in Physician Pay

SullivanCotter Report Highlights Increased Physician Compensation Trends

In a recent report by SullivanCotter, data reveals that physician compensation has rebounded to historical growth levels, with median total cash compensation (TCC) experiencing an annual increase of 3.5%. This growth follows a remarkable rise in 2023, where rising compensation became a significant topic.

Notable Growth Across Specialties

This year, two specialty categories, Adult Medical and Pediatric Surgery, recorded the highest increases in TCC at 4.5% and 4.4%, respectively. Over a five-year horizon, primary care physicians boasted a staggering compensation hike of 16.5% since 2020, reflecting changes in Medicare policies during this period. These adjustments, particularly the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule modifications made in 2021 and 2023, have prominently influenced physician earnings.

Data Collection Overview

SullivanCotter’s report stands as one of the most extensive compilations of physician compensation data available. This year, the survey comprised data from over 500 hospitals and health systems, encompassing nearly 215,000 physicians across 212 specialties. The survey's comprehensive nature signifies a 13% increase in the reported physician records compared to the previous year.

Shifts in Workforce Expectations

In 2024, several market dynamics are impacting physician compensation trends. Particularly, the most profound shift has been in physicians' workforce expectations influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. This evolving landscape has led to a substantial demand for improved work-life balance, with many physicians seeking reduced call hours, more paid time off, and a stable compensation structure.

Insights from Leadership

“The pandemic exacerbated workforce expectations for a more sustainable work life. We’re observing reduced call expectations, additional paid time off, and more appealing fixed compensation structures,” stated Dave Hesselink, Managing Principal at SullivanCotter. Notably, the 2024 survey noted decreases in expected annual work hours particularly in Critical Care, Hospital Medicine, and Radiology.

Driving Factors Behind Compensation Increases

The growth in TCC reported in this year’s survey has primarily resulted from increased productivity among physicians. The report showcases a 4-6% bump in median work relative value unit (wRVU) productivity for specialties including Adult Medical, Primary Care, and Pediatric Medicine, aligning this trend with recovery patterns post-pandemic.

Hospital-Based Specialties and wRVU Increases

Particularly in hospital-based specialties, such as Hospitalist – Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Hospitalist – Internal Medicine, wRVU values increased by 9.1%, 8.6%, and 8.3% respectively, signaling a positive trend in compensation based on productivity.

Compensation Structure in 2024

The findings also emphasize the prevalence of base salary and wRVU productivity as core elements of compensation plans in Primary Care, Medical, and Surgical specialties. These components are reported to constitute about 65-75% of compensation structures, reflecting stability in trends compared to last year. Moreover, about 50% of organizations are implementing value-based incentives averaging 6.8% of TCC for specialists and 8.6% for Primary Care providers.

Conclusion: A Move Toward Tailored Compensation

While overarching compensation design strategies remain largely unchanged, the report indicates a move away from uniform compensation plans. As healthcare aligns more with value-based care delivery models, variations in compensation will become evident across specialties. Mark Ryberg, Physician Workforce Practice Leader at SullivanCotter, notes, “The era of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ compensation model is over as health systems adapt to distinct care delivery needs.”

About SullivanCotter

SullivanCotter is dedicated to helping healthcare and non-profit organizations enhance performance and achieve better outcomes through tailored workforce strategies. They provide crucial, data-driven insights to align business objectives with performance measures, supporting clients in fulfilling their missions and values.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the SullivanCotter report reveal about physician compensation?

The report indicates a return to historical growth levels in physician compensation, with a median total cash compensation increase of 3.5% across specialties.

Which specialties saw the largest compensation increases?

The Adult Medical and Pediatric Surgical categories recorded the largest increases in total cash compensation at 4.5% and 4.4%, respectively.

How has the workforce's expectations changed post-pandemic?

Physicians now prioritize work-life balance, leading to demands for fewer call hours, increased paid time off, and more stable compensation structures.

What role does wRVU productivity play in compensation?

Increases in total cash compensation are significantly driven by productivity; wRVU metrics show an upsurge across various specialties.

What is the outlook for compensation structure in 2024?

The report suggests a shift towards customized compensation models that mitigate the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, reflecting varying needs of physicians based on their specialties.

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