MGMA: Provider pay more closely linked to quality, patient satisfaction

Quality measures continue to edge up as a percentage of total physician compensation, according to a survey by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

Primary care physicians who indicated that they are not part of an accountable care organization or patient-centered medical home reported that, on average, 5.96 percent of their total compensation was based on measures of quality. Likewise, specialists reported that an average of 5.7 percent of their total pay was based upon quality metrics.

Anesthesiologists, internists and hospitalists in particular reported that a higher percentage of their total compensation was tied to quality metrics, according to MGMA.

Patient satisfaction accounted for a small part of physician compensation, according to practices surveyed. Primary care physicians reported a slight increase in the percentage of compensation tied to patient satisfaction and specialists reported that an average of 2.31 percent of their compensation was tied to patient satisfaction, compared to 1.61 percent reported in 2012.

Both primary care and specialty care physicians reported that compensation increased slightly in 2013. Primary care physicians reported $232,989 in median compensation, and specialists reported $402,233 in median compensation. 

“MGMA members, alongside clinicians, are continuing to determine and implement the processes, tools and procedures necessary to achieve high-quality, cost-effective care and aligning these efforts with compensation plans for physicians,” said Susan L. Turney, MD, MS, MGMA president and CEO, in a statement.