why is practice in California different?

[hmmminterest]

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I get the feeling that practicing in California is different than most places. What's different? malpractice? population's insurance? more HMO's?

any thoughts on which specialities are most affected?

thanks!

 

[LADoc00]

I get the feeling that practicing in California is different than most places. What's different? malpractice? population's insurance? more HMO's?

any thoughts on which specialities are most affected?

thanks!

Massive HMO penetration. Not just Kaiser but other HMO set ups like Sutter etc. HMOs essentially micromanage medicine to save money but of course in hiring the tons of micromanagers you need, ends up not saving any money. Plus you need to overstaff everything to an absurd degree. For example, an HMO model practice near me does roughly half the number of cases I do, but has 2x as many pathologists....so each of the pathologists gets only a fraction of what I get, plus a cut of their income goes to cover the micromangers...crazy, yes I know.

 

[docB]

I get the feeling that practicing in California is different than most places. What's different? malpractice? population's insurance? more HMO's?

any thoughts on which specialities are most affected?

thanks!

The malpractice situation in CA is actually better than the rest of the country. There is a law there called MICRA that limits non-economic awards to $250K. It's court tested and doesn't have any of the lawyer weasel language that other state laws (like NV) have. CA is very litigous but the number of jackpot awards is very low.

CA generally has lower physician compensation than elsewhere. The desirability of SoCal and the Bay Area make it a buyer's market for physician services. The high state taxes and overall high cost of living there combine with the lower pay to result in a relatively lower standard of living. If the location means enough to you to justify it great but you'll be paying for it.

 

[sdn1977]

The malpractice situation in CA is actually better than the rest of the country. There is a law there called MICRA that limits non-economic awards to $250K. It's court tested and doesn't have any of the lawyer weasel language that other state laws (like NV) have. CA is very litigous but the number of jackpot awards is very low.

CA generally has lower physician compensation than elsewhere. The desirability of SoCal and the Bay Area make it a buyer's market for physician services. The high state taxes and overall high cost of living there combine with the lower pay to result in a relatively lower standard of living. If the location means enough to you to justify it great but you'll be paying for it.

Which is why, in the Bay Area, its hard to find an IM or pediatrician who is not part of a huge clinic!!!🙁