Quality, satisfaction have small but growing impact on doc pay, MGMA survey finds

Quality and patient satisfaction play a small, yet growing, role in determining physician compensation, according to a survey from the MGMA.

The MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2013 Report Based on 2012 Data shows that 3% of primary-care physicians' compensation is tied to quality metrics, while specialists report that 2% of their compensation is based on quality. In the report, which includes data from 60,146 healthcare providers in 3,811 groups and more than 170 specialties, physicians also indicated that patient satisfaction factored into their salaries.

“Quality and patient satisfaction metrics are not yet dominant components of physician compensation plans right now, however, as reimbursement models continue to shift, the small changes we've observed recently will gain momentum,” MGMA-ACMPE President and CEO Dr. Susan Turney said in a news release. “It's encouraging to see physician practices invested in patient-centered care and continuing to seek ways to better incorporate quality and experience into compensation methodologies.”

The report also revealed that median compensation for physicians differs according to specialty, with primary-care doctors reporting $216,462 in median compensation, and specialists reporting an amount nearly 180% higher—$388,199 in median compensation.

The MGMA-ACMPE has presented its Physician Compensation and Production Survey Report for more than 25 years. And although the organization represents more than 280,000 physicians, MGMA-ACMPE cautions that because the survey is based on voluntary participation, it may not be indicative of the entire industry.

Follow Rachel Landen on Twitter: @MHrlanden