Physician compensation: approach and models in neurological practice

Compensation methodology has always challenged physician groups. The highly complex system of reimbursement for the physician's services in the rapidly changing environment of health care makes the choice of a compensation model even more problematic. Any methodology chosen should reflect the underlying philosophy and culture of a group , and have the flexibility to accommodate the variability of interests, expertise, energy levels, and practice styles of its members. Further, compensation models must strike a balance between the financial viability of the practice and fair compensation for all physicians. This article describes the most common compensation structures and addresses the strengths and weaknesses of each.