Comments on: AAHPM Physician Compensation Survey Reveals Diversity in Pay, High Job Satisfaction

By: Administrator

Administrator — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:47:56 +0000

Dr. Bering, thank you for your feedback.

The survey report pricing reflects the Academy’s effort to provide fair value to all of our members while keeping our annual dues as low as possible.

AAHPM has grown tremendously over the past 5 years (over a 100% increase in membership). As such, the organization now represents a very broad constituency with different interests and needs. When the Academy initiates projects that may not be of interest to all members, a fee is typically added to help defray these costs. In the case of the compensation survey, the product was specifically requested (via member survey) by a substantial number – but not all – of our members. So, product sales are intended to cover the costs of consultants, staff oversight, printing, marketing, and distribution so that these are not reflected in any dues increase.

The price point on this report is actually substantially lower than other similar surveys for other specialties. AAHPM looked at 40 national medical specialty societies to determine how those groups that conduct compensation surveys priced the resulting product. While many societies refer their members to participate in the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) compensation survey, some had conducted their own. Overall, the charge for a report of survey data, whether packaged as a printed or e-product, ranged from no cost to over $700. It was typical for organizations to charge something and to offer discounts according to whether the purchaser was a survey participant or a member of the association.

AAHPM survey participants are receiving a discount on the purchase of the report and a free copy of the Executive Summary. AAHPM members will always benefit from a reduced rate on Academy products, and survey findings will be highlighted in the Academy’s newsletter, AAHPM Quarterly, which members will receive.

By: Stacie Bering MD

Stacie Bering MD — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 17:37:44 +0000

I am delighted that this survey is available. However I question why it is so expensive. Maybe having online access to the report without acces to Mercer PayMonitor. The price is a little steep for those of us in a small team!

By: Tim Cousounis

Tim Cousounis — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 02:05:51 +0000

The survey of AAHPM membership on compensation, and the imminent release of its findings, surely represents a major step in the maturation of the specialty. As the practice and role of HPM physicians evolves within the larger health care system, having a deep understanding of current compensation patterns is essential to advancing the value proposition of the future HPM physician. As Dr. Wellman states, the Report “tells us a lot about who we are in this relatively young field.” Indeed it does. Every physician interested in advancing one’s career in Hospice and Palliative Medicine would do well to purchase a copy.