Medical Practice - Page 13

Remuneration in the Future

During the next century, it is quite questionable whether the pattern of the last 25 years

as outlined above will be maintained. Indicators suggest that a leveling off or even pos-

sible decrease may be taking place from a peak median net annual income of nearly

$175,000. This is particularly true for salaried physicians employed in group practices,

hospitals, and health maintenance organizations. This potential trend reversal in the

remuneration pattern will result from the steadily increasing power of managed care

providers that are gaining dominance in a market containing an abundance of physicians

who are seeking to tap into the patient pool.

Among physician employers, HMOs pay less since they feel they provide regular

working hours and assume the expenses for office and malpractice insurance. Within

this market, indications are that primary care physicians (family physicians, internists,

and pediatricians) may be in a more favorable position in terms of remuneration. Their

salaries may actually increase as a result of the fact that they are assuming the vital role

of "gatekeeper" to the medical care establishment.

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