Podiatric Surgeon vs Orthopodic Surgeon questions...

[BOSS Man]

Why does a Podiatric Surgeon (foot & ankle) make 50% less, than a Orthopedic Surgeon that specializes in foot & ankle? According to MGMA in 2010 a Podiatric Surgeon median salary was $288,000 vs an Orthopedic Surgeon median salary of $518,000?

Also how are the work hours of a Podiatric Surgeon in an academic setting vs private practice?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Why does a Podiatric Surgeon (foot & ankle) make 50% less, than a Orthopedic Surgeon that specializes in foot & ankle? According to MGMA in 2010 a Podiatric Surgeon median salary was $288,000 vs an Orthopedic Surgeon median salary of $518,000?

Also how are the work hours of a Podiatric Surgeon in an academic setting vs private practice?

Reimbursements for MDs and DPMs are different, but also podiatric surgeons are rare (they do exist!), but a podiatrist who ONLY does surgery is a tiny fraction of the population of pods. I don't know how MGMA classifies a "podiatric surgeon" - whether its self-proclaimed, or there is some sort of criteria, I don't know. Either way, the vast majority of pods do not only do surgery.

And private practice means you can work whenever you want. Being successful in private practice is an entirely different story though

 

[BOSS Man]

Reimbursements for MDs and DPMs are different, but also podiatric surgeons are rare (they do exist!), but a podiatrist who ONLY does surgery is a tiny fraction of the population of pods. I don't know how MGMA classifies a "podiatric surgeon" - whether its self-proclaimed, or there is some sort of criteria, I don't know. Either way, the vast majority of pods do not only do surgery.

And private practice means you can work whenever you want. Being successful in private practice is an entirely different story though

What do you mean podiatric surgeons are rare?

 

[347932]

Reimbursements for MDs and DPMs are different...

Please provide factual data for this claim. Thanks.

 

[PADPM]

Please provide factual data for this claim. Thanks.

We've been down this road before and it is dependent on geographic location. In my past experience, the areas where I've practiced have equal reimbursements no matter who provides the service (DPM, MD, DO). However, apparently there are some insurance carriers and some geographic areas were there is disparity. I believe different fees for the same service is really the exception and not the rule, and that most (not all) insurance companies pay equal to any provider who provides the same service.

I have served on several advisory boards to different insurance companies both locally and nationally, and none of those had different fee schedules.

 

[347932]

We've been down this road before and it is dependent on geographic location. In my past experience, the areas where I've practiced have equal reimbursements no matter who provides the service (DPM, MD, DO). However, apparently there are some insurance carriers and some geographic areas were there is disparity. I believe different fees for the same service is really the exception and not the rule, and that most (not all) insurance companies pay equal to any provider who provides the same service.

I have served on several advisory boards to different insurance companies both locally and nationally, and none of those had different fee schedules.

Agreed, however we haven't proven this yet or we would have a major class action case to throw in.

I have seen where Pods working in Ortho groups get higher rates because they are in a group that has some pull, as far as accepting contracts and what their reimbursements are, but again, the Orthos in that group are making more per procedure as their Ortho colleagues down the road.

It's not MD vs. Pod, it's more of Dr. group vs. Dr. group.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

What do you mean podiatric surgeons are rare?

I mean most podiatrists don't just do surgery. They do tons of other things as well, biomechanics, derm, diabetic wound care, etc etc

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Please provide factual data for this claim. Thanks.

Hmm... good point - I don't have any. It was based off a post Podfather made a while back

 

[jonwill]

F&A orthopods will usually take general ortho call and therefore do general orthopedics. Podiatrists obviously don't do that.