How come anesthesiologists make more money than many surgeons? (per MGMA)

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naus

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I've been shadowing a few anesthesiologists lately and really digging the specialty, so don't take this post as trying to start any kind of animosity between surgery and anesthesia. Anesthesia is a lot more interesting after taking the basic sciences classes.

Is it because of malpractice premiums that anesthesiologists make more than many surgeons (except perhaps ortho, CT, and neuro)? Why does gen surg get such a short stick? What's the reimbursement fee structure like for anesthesiology? How are you paid? Is there a global period?

Is private practice anesthesia viable post-Obamacare?

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I've been shadowing a few anesthesiologists lately and really digging the specialty, so don't take this post as trying to start any kind of animosity between surgery and anesthesia.

(JET) that statement from you means you are trying to create animosity between surgery and anesthesia.

Anesthesia is a lot more interesting after taking the basic sciences classes.

(JET) Yeah whatever Slim

Is it because of malpractice premiums that anesthesiologists make more than many surgeons (except perhaps ortho, CT, and neuro)?

(JET) No.

What's the reimbursement fee structure like for anesthesiology? How are you paid?

(JET) Uhhhh, who are you? Do you ask your dad how much he makes?

Is private practice anesthesia viable post-Obamacare?

(JET) I live at a place independent of Obama. We don't take Medicare or Medicaid.

Next question, Slim?
 
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Um that wasn't helpful at all....
 
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What Jet is saying is that payer mix is extremely important in any practice.

We make good money because we do amazing stuff and are ALWAYS in the OR = cash cow of the hospital. General surgeons spend a good % of their time in clinics.

Hope that helps.
 
What Jet is saying is that payer mix is extremely important in any practice.

We make good money because we do amazing stuff and are ALWAYS in the OR = cash cow of the hospital. General surgeons spend a good % of their time in clinics.

Hope that helps.

GEEZUS HOW GREAT IT IS TO HAVE FRIENDS. SORRY MAN THAT YOU HAD TO PICK UP MY SLACK. MY BAD MAN. I'LL TRY HARDER NEXT TIME.:thumbup:
 
Ha, JPP. channel it...scripts!!!!!!
 
How come anesthesiologists make more money than many surgeons? (per MGMA)

How come you are surprised by this?

Most surgeries are not rocket science.
 
How come anesthesiologists make more money than many surgeons?

Same reason the guy who manages and oversees the entire meat packing process from raising the animal to processing, packaging, and distribution makes more money than the butcher that simply cuts it up.
 
Same reason the guy who manages and oversees the entire meat packing process from raising the animal to processing, packaging, and distribution makes more money than the butcher that simply cuts it up.

:thumbup:
 
Same reason the guy who manages and oversees the entire meat packing process from raising the animal to processing, packaging, and distribution makes more money than the butcher that simply cuts it up.

yep, that just did it! I was leaning towards grilling one of these for dinner this evening... off to the butcher I go!

wagyu_porterhouse_lrg.jpg


Thx Narc!
 
Same reason the guy who manages and oversees the entire meat packing process from raising the animal to processing, packaging, and distribution makes more money than the butcher that simply cuts it up.
Damn, if there's a job where I can just show up and cut, a la IR, let me know.
 
Same reason the guy who manages and oversees the entire meat packing process from raising the animal to processing, packaging, and distribution makes more money than the butcher that simply cuts it up.

OK. :thumbup:


:laugh:
 
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How easily can an anesthesiologist do overtime or find a part-time job for the weekends? Are there many opportunities to supplement the income?
 
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How easily can an anesthesiologist do overtime or find a part-time job for the weekends? Are there many opportunities to supplement the income?

Find the right job and you won't need to moonlight.;) You could always go on vacation from your day job and do a locums week somewhere. They pay around $12-1500/day for 8 hrs, overtime pays more.
I'd rather have more vacation though.
Some jobs, PP and acad, pay extra for taking call. At one job I looked at, a couple of guys said they never took call because there was always someone else that wanted to make a few extra $$. Win:win.
 
yep, that just did it! I was leaning towards grilling one of these for dinner this evening... off to the butcher I go!

wagyu_porterhouse_lrg.jpg


Thx Narc!

Just browsing this thread and I saw it....
Man - send me a private message about your butcher.
2win
 
How easily can an anesthesiologist do overtime or find a part-time job for the weekends? Are there many opportunities to supplement the income?

Supplement the income?

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..,

Why?

We aren't

flipping burgers.:smuggrin:
 
Just browsing this thread and I saw it....
Man - send me a private message about your butcher.
2win

Sorry, just a pic from the interwebs. The marbling in that cut is unbelievable though. The one I grilled tonight only looked half this good, but it still tasted like heaven! Its amazing what just a little salt and pepper and about 3-4 minutes per side on a hot-ass grill will get ya!
 
Sorry, just a pic from the interwebs. The marbling in that cut is unbelievable though. The one I grilled tonight only looked half this good, but it still tasted like heaven! Its amazing what just a little salt and pepper and about 3-4 minutes per side on a hot-ass grill will get ya!

Dude it's nearly 11 o'clock in my world and after reading your post

I'M READY TO GRILL!!!
 
I've been shadowing a few anesthesiologists lately and really digging the specialty, so don't take this post as trying to start any kind of animosity between surgery and anesthesia. Anesthesia is a lot more interesting after taking the basic sciences classes.

Is it because of malpractice premiums that anesthesiologists make more than many surgeons (except perhaps ortho, CT, and neuro)? Why does gen surg get such a short stick? What's the reimbursement fee structure like for anesthesiology? How are you paid? Is there a global period?

Is private practice anesthesia viable post-Obamacare?

I believe it's the fact that general anesthesiologists are not paid to put you under but to make sure to bring you back.
 
I've been shadowing a few anesthesiologists lately and really digging the specialty, so don't take this post as trying to start any kind of animosity between surgery and anesthesia. Anesthesia is a lot more interesting after taking the basic sciences classes.

Is it because of malpractice premiums that anesthesiologists make more than many surgeons (except perhaps ortho, CT, and neuro)? Why does gen surg get such a short stick? What's the reimbursement fee structure like for anesthesiology? How are you paid? Is there a global period?

Is private practice anesthesia viable post-Obamacare?

Overhead is a big factor. Surgeons and many other specialists must generate enough revenue to pay for office space with exam rooms, supplies, staff to answer the phone and call backs, overhead insurance, etc. before they get paid. This can eat up over 50% of every dollar that comes in. These expenses are much lower and some don't exist for Anesthesiologists.
 
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I've been shadowing a few anesthesiologists lately and really digging the specialty, so don't take this post as trying to start any kind of animosity between surgery and anesthesia. Anesthesia is a lot more interesting after taking the basic sciences classes.

Is it because of malpractice premiums that anesthesiologists make more than many surgeons (except perhaps ortho, CT, and neuro)? Why does gen surg get such a short stick? What's the reimbursement fee structure like for anesthesiology? How are you paid? Is there a global period?

Is private practice anesthesia viable post-Obamacare?

Is there any real reason why anything makes more money than anything else in the current reimbursement model? It's simply pre-set reimbursement rates determined by third party payers and organizations that are entirely removed from any semblance of a free market. Why do orthopedic surgeons make more than general surgeons? Why do dermatologists make more than ICU docs? Why do CRNAs make more than some internists? Why do radiation oncologists make more than surgical oncologists? If you can answer that, you can answer your own question.
 
Is there any real reason why anything makes more money than anything else in the current reimbursement model? It's simply pre-set reimbursement rates determined by third party payers and organizations that are entirely removed from any semblance of a free market. Why do orthopedic surgeons make more than general surgeons? Why do dermatologists make more than ICU docs? Why do CRNAs make more than some internists? Why do radiation oncologists make more than surgical oncologists? If you can answer that, you can answer your own question.
:thumbup:

Spot on.

Impossible to rationalize.

It is what it is.
 
Because we keep the patient alive while the surgeon tries to kill them (literally). That should be a good enough reason.
 
Reimbursement in the "Operating Theatre" is similar to reimbursement in Hollywood.

Anesthesiologists are the producers of the OR.

Surgeons are the actors.
 
Simple: Anesthesiologists were 100% responsible for bringing sexy back.
 
Lol, they make bucket loads of money haha, but they dont make more than ortho or Neurosurgeons.
 
I don't understand why people think anesthesiologists make so much. I mean have any of you premed fools talked to a gastroenterologist? Or a cardiologist? Or a heme/onc doc? Or a radiologist? Or a Orthopedist/Neurosurgeon/Urologist/Retinologist/Dermatologist/Plastic or Vascular Surgeon/Dentistry subspecialist/Gyn onc surgeon, etc. I have friends/colleagues in all of these fields and you have the potential (not hard to do in midwest/south) to make >500k to up to a million.

Making in >500k in anesthesiology is TOUGH, unless you are in the boondocks AND busting your ass. Wanna do peds anesthesia....uh it's damn near impossible. Good thing I am happy making around 200-300k. :)


Don't believe me? Just look at salary surveys, or BETTER YET, ask people. You'll get to the truth.

Also, if anything those inflated salaries you see people making are reflective of partners in lucrative practices...which apparently is not nearly as common as it once was.

Good luck with your residency choice...
 
I don't understand why people think anesthesiologists make so much. I mean have any of you premed fools talked to a gastroenterologist? Or a cardiologist? Or a heme/onc doc? Or a radiologist? Or a Orthopedist/Neurosurgeon/Urologist/Retinologist/Dermatologist/Plastic or Vascular Surgeon/Dentistry subspecialist/Gyn onc surgeon, etc. I have friends/colleagues in all of these fields and you have the potential (not hard to do in midwest/south) to make >500k to up to a million.

Making in >500k in anesthesiology is TOUGH, unless you are in the boondocks AND busting your ass. Wanna do peds anesthesia....uh it's damn near impossible. Good thing I am happy making around 200-300k. :)


Don't believe me? Just look at salary surveys, or BETTER YET, ask people. You'll get to the truth.

Also, if anything those inflated salaries you see people making are reflective of partners in lucrative practices...which apparently is not nearly as common as it once was.

Good luck with your residency choice...

Grass is always greener, to say anesthesia isn't compensated well, especially hourly, is pretty ridiculous imo
 
Lol, they make bucket loads of money haha, but they dont make more than ortho or Neurosurgeons.

Lol, a premed talking about ortho/neurosurg money, with a sig about neurosurgery saving lives from GREY'S ANATOMY... go figure.
 
I don't understand why people think anesthesiologists make so much. I mean have any of you premed fools talked to a gastroenterologist? Or a cardiologist? Or a heme/onc doc? Or a radiologist? Or a Orthopedist/Neurosurgeon/Urologist/Retinologist/Dermatologist/Plastic or Vascular Surgeon/Dentistry subspecialist/Gyn onc surgeon, etc. I have friends/colleagues in all of these fields and you have the potential (not hard to do in midwest/south) to make >500k to up to a million.

Making in >500k in anesthesiology is TOUGH, unless you are in the boondocks AND busting your ass. Wanna do peds anesthesia....uh it's damn near impossible. Good thing I am happy making around 200-300k. :)


Don't believe me? Just look at salary surveys, or BETTER YET, ask people. You'll get to the truth.

Also, if anything those inflated salaries you see people making are reflective of partners in lucrative practices...which apparently is not nearly as common as it once was.

Good luck with your residency choice...

No one ever said those other fields don't make more than anesthesia. The question was why anesthesia makes more than some surgeons - namely general surgeons.
 
What about the anesthesiology specialists (ie CT, CCM, pain, regional...etc)
 
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