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Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018
| Contributor Information
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
The Medscape Physician Compensation Report is the most comprehensive and widely used physician salary survey in the United States for the eighth year in a row. Rheumatologists who responded to this year's survey disclosed not only their compensation but also how many hours they work per week, how many minutes they spend with each patient, what they find most rewarding—and challenging—about their work, and more. (Some totals in this presentation do not equal 100% due to rounding.)
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Survey respondents were asked to provide their annual compensation for patient care. For employed physicians, that includes salary, bonus, and profit-sharing contributions. For partners, it includes earnings after taxes and deductible business expenses before income tax. Rheumatologists fell below the middle. Plastic surgeons, orthopedists, and cardiologists were among the top earners this year. This year's lowest-earning specialties were the same as they were 5 years ago in Medscape's 2013 Compensation Report.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Compensation for rheumatologists increased this year. The greatest increases were seen among psychiatrists, plastic surgeons, and physiatrists. Medscape's results align with industry data regarding psychiatry. "We have never seen demand for psychiatrists this high in our 30-year history," says Tommy Bohannon of Merritt Hawkins, a physician recruiting firm. "Demand for mental health services has exploded, while the number of psychiatrists has not kept pace."
Decreases in earnings were evident in only six specialties this year, with general surgery and urology among the hardest hit.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Where a physician attended medical school can be a factor in future earnings. Some graduates of US medical schools are American citizens who studied outside of the United States; others grew up in the country where they went to medical school and moved to the United States to practice. Little difference was observed in average compensation between foreign- and US-trained rheumatologists.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Among most physicians there is a disparity in gender inclusion, with men generally outnumbering women across ethnicities, though the opposite is true this year for Asian male and female rheumatologists. Other racial groups were represented by too low a percentage of respondents to be included in this comparison.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Rheumatologists who are employed reported lower earnings this year than did those who are self-employed. It is often assumed that employment means trading a higher salary for a steadier income and less time focusing on running a business. According to a survey from the Physicians Foundation, however, employment does not necessarily reduce nonclinical workload.[1]
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Far more rheumatologists are now employed rather than self-employed. This reflects a national trend toward physician employment, as hospitals and other entities have consolidated and absorbed private practices, and younger physicians have sought a steadier income stream and more regular hours. There is some indication, however, that the trend has plateaued, as hospitals reach staffing limits.[2]
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
This year, as in all previous years, the male rheumatologists Medscape surveyed reported higher earnings than did their female counterparts. Although women are more likely to work part-time, which would give them a lower average income, this report uses full-time salaries for compensation, so part-time work does not account for the difference.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
More female rheumatologists reported that they are employed this year than did their male peers. This difference may account for some of the disparity in income between the two groups.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Percentages of part-time female and male physicians have varied somewhat over the years, with 22% of women and 12% of men reporting this year that they work less than 30 hours per week. Among rheumatologists, a larger percentage of women than men work part-time.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
All rheumatologists, whether employed or self-employed, were asked about their benefits this year. The great majority said they receive employer-subsidized health insurance, liability coverage, paid time off, and dental coverage. Very few rheumatologists reported that they receive no benefits.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Rheumatologists surveyed fell above the middle among physicians who believe that they are fairly compensated in spite of their lower-than-average compensation. Indeed, specialists' satisfaction does not always coincide with their relative compensation. For example, plastic surgeons were among the least satisfied with their compensation despite being among the highest paid. Conversely, public health physicians reported relatively low compensation but were among the most satisfied with their pay.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
This year, the Medscape survey asked physicians who reported that they are not satisfied with their compensation how large an increase they feel they deserve. More than half of rheumatologists feel that they should be earning 11% to 25% more, and just over a third feel that they deserve an increase of 26% to 50%.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
A majority of rheumatologists reported that they are paid through an insurance carrier, with just under a quarter saying they are reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis. One quarter said they are paid through accountable care organizations (ACOs), which is one of the advanced alternative payment systems under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). A small percentage reported that they have adopted the direct primary care model, which is gaining popularity compared with concierge and cash-only models among physicians whose practices allow direct pay.[3]
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
In this year's survey, 18% of rheumatologists said they would drop insurers that pay poorly. Half of rheumatologists had reasons other than that doing so would be inappropriate or that they need all payers.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
In spite of billing and other administrative challenges, most rheumatologists surveyed said they will continue to take Medicare and Medicaid patients. One tenth of rheumatologists are undecided.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Increases in the number of physicians reporting that they participate in health insurance exchanges have stabilized since their introduction in 2014, and there is almost no change from last year's survey in the percentage of participating rheumatologists. A fair number, however, remain unsure about whether they will participate.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Anecdotally, physicians have complained about the effect of the Affordable Care Act on their incomes, but results from this year's survey suggest that less than one tenth of rheumatologists who participate in an exchange have experienced a decrease.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Healthcare continues to cause financial worry among Americans, but there is little guidance for physicians about how to discuss costs with their patients. Barriers include unfamiliarity with patients' insurance or financial status and even the cost of the treatments they recommend.[4] Even so, nearly all rheumatologists reported that they occasionally or regularly have such discussions with their patients.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Physicians say that instituting a no-show policy helps them avoid overscheduling in order to ensure that all time slots are filled. Most rheumatologists, however, reported that they do not charge patients who miss an appointment without providing notification.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
While over three quarters of rheumatologists reported that they spend 30 to 45 hours each week with patients, 15% spend 46 hours or more. The latter percentage, however, is lower than in the two prior years' reports.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Medscape asked physicians about the time they themselves—not a physician assistant, nurse, or medical assistant—spend with each patient. Almost half of rheumatologists reported that they spend 17 to 24 minutes.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Bureaucratic tasks remain the primary cause of burnout among physicians, and nearly two thirds of rheumatologists reported this year that they spend 10 hours or more per week on paperwork and administration.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Getting promoted in a hospital, clinic, or large group setting typically adds administrative and/or management responsibilities to a physician's job. Even so, more than half of employed rheumatologists reported this year that they are seeking promotion.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Among rheumatologists, more women than men reported this year that they are seeking promotion within their organization. "It's possible that more male doctors already are in leadership positions and female physicians are anxious to catch up," says Tommy Bohannon. "Another factor may be that moving to a full-time or part-time administration role can lead to greater schedule flexibility and better work-life balance."
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Rheumatologists most often named relationships with and gratitude from patients as the most rewarding aspect of their job, followed by being good at what they do and making good money. Very small percentages cited pride in their profession and teaching.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Dealing with difficult patients was most often cited as the most challenging part of a rheumatologist's job, followed by too many rules and regulations, working long hours, and concern over being sued.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
Despite all of the current challenges, rheumatologists were near the top among physicians who said that they would choose medicine again. The rewards of treating patients and having many of them express appreciation; knowing that they are competent in their field; and contributing to a better world appear to make up for the difficulties they face in their jobs.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
In contrast, of those who would choose medicine again, rheumatologists placed near the bottom among physicians who said they would select their specialty again.
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
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Medscape Rheumatologist Compensation Report 2018
Carol Peckham | April 18, 2018 | Contributor Information
More than 20,000 physicians told us how much they earn, how many hours they work, and whether they're satisfied with their compensation.Slideshows, April 2018
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Contributor Information
Carol Peckham
Editorial Director
Art Science Code
Disclosure: Carol Peckham has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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References + More on Methodology
References
Survey of America's Physicians: Practice Patterns and Perspectives. Boston: The Physicians Foundation/Merritt Hawkins; 2014.
Kane CK. Updated data on physician practice arrangements: physician ownership drops below 50 percent. American Medical Association. Policy Research Perspectives. 2017. Article. Accessed March 26, 2018.
Davis J. States move to enable direct primary care as a new approach to health care services. The Council of State Governments. January 25, 2018. Article. Accessed March 26, 2018.
Ganos G. Costs of care: getting the patient-provider conversation right. Culture of Health Blog. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. June 15, 2016. Article. Accessed March 26, 2018.
More on Methodology
Survey invitations were emailed to Medscape member physicians from November 21, 2017 to February 21, 2018. Respondents were invited to participate in an online study of "Physician Compensation and Net Worth." Members who completed the survey were entered into a sweepstakes that awarded 50 random winners a $150 Amazon.com gift card.
Respondents were required to be physicians currently practicing in the United States. The total sample size was 20,329. The overall margin of sampling error for this survey was ± 0.69% at a 95% confidence level using a point estimate of 50%. Statistical difference from 50% is the most conservative in measuring sample error.
Other factors may also contribute to error in survey estimates, including measurement error, construct and content validity, question wording, and question order. Standard quality-control measures included checking for clear question wording, proper question ordering, and use of appropriate scales and response categories. In addition, during the field period, the survey was checked to make certain that respondents were answering all questions logically and that skip-pattern programming was working properly.
The final data were cleaned to ensure data quality. Full-time respondents were weighted to reflect the American Medical Association's physician distribution by specialty, state, and gender.
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