Physician Pay Lower as Health Care Costs Rise

The Tennessean reports this morning on a study showing that average physician incomes have dropped by 2% (for specialists) to 10% (for primary care doctors) over the last 10 years. Experts warn that the trend could impact the number of persons entering the medical profession in the coming years.

Health care consultant Joe Paduda adds that such information shows that physician incomes are not a cost driver in the rise of health care insurance premiums. He suggests that cost increases result largely from higher utilization (additional services, including expensive diagnostic tests), increased hospital and facility costs, and rising drug prices.