SURVEY: Revenue generated by physicians for their hospital

This is the 5th survey conducted by the physician recruiting firm Merritt Hawkins that takes a look at the economic value of physicians to a hospital.  Responses were received from about 100 hospitals — with over-representation of smaller hospitals (under 100 beds).  The responses represent the average net revenue (inpatient and outpatient) generated for the hospital during calendar year 2012 by 1 FTE physician.  Here are the findings:

• Over $1.5 million generated / primary care physician
• Over $1.4 million generated  / specialist

This is the first time that the primary care physician total surpassed the specialist total.

Here are the findings by specialist for the top 5 according to highest average annual revenue generated per FTE physician (I’ve rounded these figures off):

• $2.7 million (orthopedists)
• $2.2 million (invasive cardiologists)
• $2.1 million (family practice)
• $1.9 million (general surgeons)
• $1.8 million (internists)

This white paper also discusses TRENDS since the first year the survey was conducted (2002), including the trend toward employment of physicians by hospitals.

Sources: The white paper is: 2011 Physician Inpatient/Outpatient Revenue Survey.  Irving, TX: Merritt Hawkins, 2013.  Click here for full text: http://www.merritthawkins.com/uploadedFiles/MerrittHawkings/Clients/mha2013revsurveyPreview.pdf  NOTE: On the day that I am posting this (6/7/13), only a PARTIAL copy of the full text is posted online.  If you want the full report, email phil.miller@amnhealthcare.com.  He expects to have the complete white paper posted online within a few weeks.  Another related item is: “Seismic shift” lifts primary care’s impact on hospital revenues.  American Medical News, May 20, 2013.  Click here for full text: http://www.amednews.com/article/20130520/business/130529978/1/  Posted by AHA Resource Center, (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org