News | July 1, 2014

MGMA Survey: Practices Report Gradual Shifts Toward Provider Pay Tied To Quality And Patient Satisfaction Metrics

Quality measures continue to be a small yet increasing percentage of total compensation for physicians. According to the MGMA Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2014 Report Based on 2013 Data, primary care physicians (who indicated that they were not part of an accountable care organization or a patient-centered medical home) reported that an average of 5.96% of their total compensation was based upon measures of quality. Specialists reported that an average of 5.70% of their total compensation was based upon quality metrics. Some specialties, including anesthesiologists, internists and hospitalists, reported that a higher percentage of their total compensation was tied to quality metrics. MGMA surmised that physician compensation would increasingly be tied to these metrics as reimbursement aligned more closely with quality and cost measures.

Practices also reported that patient satisfaction played a small role in physician compensation. Primary care physicians reported a slight increase in the percentage of compensation tied to patient satisfaction and specialists reported that an average of 2.31% of their compensation was tied to patient satisfaction, compared to 1.61% reported in 2012.

“Physicians are committed to providing quality care to patients, so it’s not surprising that compensation methodologies are evolving to incorporate these metrics,” said Susan L. Turney, MD, MS, FACP, FACMPE, MGMA president and chief executive officer. “MGMA members, alongside clinicians, are continuing to determine and implement the processes, tools and procedures necessary to achieve high-quality, cost-effective care and aligning these efforts with compensation plans for physicians.”

Both primary care and specialty care physicians reported that their compensation increased slightly in 2013. Primary care physicians reported $232,989 in median compensation, and specialists reported $402,233 in median compensation.

For more than 25 years, the MGMA Physician Compensation and Production Survey Report has been the most respected benchmarking report in the industry. It offers detailed information, rigorous in-house data validation and analysis. This year’s report provides data on more than 66,299 providers – the largest provider population of any physician compensation survey in the United States. The 2014 report includes data for physicians and nonphysician providers in more than 170 specialties, including demographic categories ranging from geographic region and practice setting (in small, medium and large groups) to years in specialty and majority ownership. The information is available on DataDive, an easy-to-use Web-based format that allows users to access and drill down data for analysis. Access additional key findings from the report.

About MGMA
The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) helps create successful medical practices that deliver the highest-quality patient care. As the leading association for medical practice administrators and executives since 1926, MGMA helps improve members’ practices through exclusive member benefits, education, resources, news, information, advocacy, and networking opportunities, and produces some of the most credible and robust medical practice economic data and data solutions in the industry, MGMA advances the profession of medical practice management with its industry-leading board certification and Fellowship programs through the American College of Medical Practice Executives.

Through its national membership and 50 state affiliates, MGMA represents more than 33,000 medical practice administrators and executives in practices of all sizes, types, structures and specialties. MGMA is headquartered in Englewood, Colo., with a Government Affairs office in Washington, D.C.

Source: The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)