Any thoughts on EP pay going forward, given the 2023 CMS reimbursement scheme for ablations? Interested in EP and curious what peoples' thoughts are on the topic. Thanks.
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EP Pay 2023?
- Thread starter texas6
- Start date
It’s a good question.
I think it will have some impact on the top 10-20% guys where the Wild West of rvu billing allowed them to kill it (the current 1-1.5M guys)
I do think it moves to the more common IC pay model where the value is “coverage” more so than production.
An EP is still extremely valuable to the “system” in doing complex ablations, the never ending AF ablations, managing midlevels and dealing with a part of medicine that no one wants to touch.
In my areas EPs are still difficult to recruit and unless the EP academics really botch the supply than I think they’ll have a lot of value for the foreseeable future.
To me that I would be expecting 700k plus total comp (in most markets) for the next decade at least.
I think it will have some impact on the top 10-20% guys where the Wild West of rvu billing allowed them to kill it (the current 1-1.5M guys)
I do think it moves to the more common IC pay model where the value is “coverage” more so than production.
An EP is still extremely valuable to the “system” in doing complex ablations, the never ending AF ablations, managing midlevels and dealing with a part of medicine that no one wants to touch.
In my areas EPs are still difficult to recruit and unless the EP academics really botch the supply than I think they’ll have a lot of value for the foreseeable future.
To me that I would be expecting 700k plus total comp (in most markets) for the next decade at least.
Thanks, timpview. That is a super helpful response.
Similarly, what do you foresee IC pay to be like in the next decade or so, given what you call the coverage model with ongoing need for STEMI coverage but overall decreasing PCI volumes?
Similarly, what do you foresee IC pay to be like in the next decade or so, given what you call the coverage model with ongoing need for STEMI coverage but overall decreasing PCI volumes?
IC has already endured the PCI volume loss with median incomes still stable to increasing (granted not keeping up with inflation) based on that coverage need. I do think the top 10-20% range has been harder to sustain (and have dropped) though I’m not sure what the numbers reflect.
I think coverage needs will only increase with the newer generations just not able to endure the physical/mental grind like the boomers have done (and still do).. coupled with burnout with everything else that is wrong with modern healthcare. I also think some ICs will finally realize they can make pretty close to the same income just grinding through stress free clinic and ancillary stuff and will drop IC more often than the previous generation (who really never did that). I also think more will drop inpt Cath lab for outpt Cath opportunities if people can figure out how to make that work more often and in more markets (though purely speculation there). Cardiologists also accumulate more baggage than other specialists over the years due to the stress of the work environment, Cath lab and complications. Hospitals are being more and more picky on who they’ll hire even if that means they don’t hire anyone.
Ultimately I think the need for IC coverage will stay very strong for the next bit here (5-10 years).
Personally, I don’t feel there’s going to be much of a drop going forward. I also think the ceiling is limited as well.
So on my market where everyone basically makes 700-750k total comp I personally don’t feel I’ll ever make less than 600k over the next ten years, nor do I feel I’ll ever make north of 850 or 900
I still those numbers undervalue us and I don’t believe anyone should take a position where you have to grind like crazy just to hit those numbers.
I think coverage needs will only increase with the newer generations just not able to endure the physical/mental grind like the boomers have done (and still do).. coupled with burnout with everything else that is wrong with modern healthcare. I also think some ICs will finally realize they can make pretty close to the same income just grinding through stress free clinic and ancillary stuff and will drop IC more often than the previous generation (who really never did that). I also think more will drop inpt Cath lab for outpt Cath opportunities if people can figure out how to make that work more often and in more markets (though purely speculation there). Cardiologists also accumulate more baggage than other specialists over the years due to the stress of the work environment, Cath lab and complications. Hospitals are being more and more picky on who they’ll hire even if that means they don’t hire anyone.
Ultimately I think the need for IC coverage will stay very strong for the next bit here (5-10 years).
Personally, I don’t feel there’s going to be much of a drop going forward. I also think the ceiling is limited as well.
So on my market where everyone basically makes 700-750k total comp I personally don’t feel I’ll ever make less than 600k over the next ten years, nor do I feel I’ll ever make north of 850 or 900
I still those numbers undervalue us and I don’t believe anyone should take a position where you have to grind like crazy just to hit those numbers.
