Moving On Up on Nashville Medical News

Moving On Up

By: LYNNE JETER

Horne’s 19^th annual medical office staff salary survey shows overall increase in healthcare compensation rates

Despite the continued national economic slump, healthcare compensation rates continue to climb, with overall compensation rates increasing 1 to 2 percent in 2011, according to results from HORNE LLP’s recently released 19th annual medical office staff salary survey.

“The report encompasses many aspects of a medical practice in addition to salary information, including turnover percentages, performance evaluations, analysis of benefits offered, information technology statistics and statistics on participation in the Physician Quality Reporting System,” said Sharon Walden, survey director for HORNE, one of Accounting Today’s top 50 accounting and business advisory firms in the nation. “The survey is a very useful tool for a variety of providers, especially those in specialty groups.”

The 2011 report shows there were three times as many positions with an average increase in pay compared to those with an average decrease. This ratio was similar in 2010 and continues to support the overall trend, a comparison particularly significant when viewing the new three-year median trend report released this year.

“The survey doesn’t include physicians, but does include mid-level providers,” said HORNE database analyst David McClendon. “We added about 10 new jobs for this report. Based on what I’ve seen over the five years I’ve been working on this project, minimal growth in salary rates will continue to grow even if current economic conditions remain.”

Specialty Practices Surveyed

Anesthesiology, pain management, pathology and radiology.
Cardiology.
Ear, nose and throat, and allergy.
Family practice and urgent care.
Internal medicine—endocrinology, reproductive endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, pulmonary disease, rheumatology and urology.
Obstetrics and gynecology.
Orthopedics.
Pediatrics.
Surgery—ambulatory surgery centers, colon-rectal, general, neurosurgery, plastic and vascular.
Other—dermatology, management/billing/collection services, oncology, physical therapy/rehabilitation, psychiatry and sleep medicine.

SOURCE: HORNE LLP.

The 2011 salary survey provides an analysis of medical office staff salaries among medical practices in the MidWest and the South, where HORNE has a presence, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. HORNE’s footprint expansion includes recently opened offices in Houston and Baton Rouge.

A total of 237 practices responded to the survey between July 12 and Sept. 25 in 2011, a number that represents roughly 70 percent of the total response in 2010.

“With the economy like it is, I thought more folks would want to get their hands on the latest data for recruitment,” said Walden. “Implementation of electronic EHR and other healthcare mandates and deadlines may have taken them away from participation in the survey.”

The nearly 400-page report includes an analysis of responses by state, location, specialty, number of provider full-time equivalents (FTEs), revenues and population. Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia and Texas had the highest number of respondents, respectively. All four states’ MGMA groups strongly promoted the survey.

Walden, who joined HORNE last year, plans to spend more preparation time for the 2012 report speaking to MGMA groups across the survey area about healthcare industry employment trends.

“It’s important to discuss the survey face to face, and to explain the methodology and its overall value to the practice as it relates to resource management ,” she said. “Most people don’t realize the depth of our research base.”

Responses were analyzed overall, and also by community health centers and multi-specialty practices.

The salary analysis covered 44 general and administrative positions, 14 upper management posts, 28 clinical roles, and four non-physician provider jobs. For example, median annual compensation for community health center CEOs was $124,608, compared to $113,114 for a multi-specialty practice administrator. Practice managers in the MidWest made slightly more money than in the South. However, marketing and public relations directors in the South reported a median income of $59,981, compared to directors in the MidWest, whose median income was $53,000.

Human resources statistics, employee benefits, health insurance cost sharing and other options, and electronic medical records usage statistics were also analyzed. For example, health insurance was available to 90 percent of medical office respondents. Life and insurance and dental coverage was available to three of four survey participants. Short- and long-term disability insurance was available to roughly 58 percent, vision insurance to 46 percent, and medical malpractice insurance to 41 percent.

Survey feedback from 2010 led Walden and McClendon to add coverage regarding medical malpractice insurance, PQRS, and more educational/teaching facilities.

“We’re still in the planning phases of what to include in 2012,” said Walden. “We’ll look at market trends. If MGMA chapters continue to promote our survey, we’ll be able to provide more specific information in the database, as well as considering the possibility of providing state specific surveys.”

For more information on the HORNE 2011 Medical Office Staff Salary Survey, visit www.horne-llp.com.