By Research & Editorial Team, Published Feb 12, 2024
Pay for a collaborating physician across the United States typically ranges from $600 to $750 per month, reflecting the 25th to 75th percentile of all pay data analyzed.
This pay range is based on Single Aim Health's comprehensive analysis of 435 pay data points, gathered from job postings and self-reports by collaborating physicians across the United States in early 2024, the recommended monthly compensation for a collaborating physician falls within the range of $600 to $750. This analysis encompasses a broad spectrum of specialties, with a significant emphasis on Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, reflecting a wide-ranging overview of the field. The presented pay range represents the 25th to 75th percentile of all the pay data available, indicating a benchmark for standard compensation in this role. It's important to note that while this range provides a general guideline, actual compensation may vary by state, accommodating for regional differences in demand and living costs.
Sources:
Collaborating physicians within the Single Aim Network, Indeed, Ziprecruiter, LinkedIn, and Google Jobs.
Pay data points
US States Covered
The pay for collaborating physicians can significantly differ from state to state, primarily due to two key regulatory factors: the maximum allowed ratios of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) to physicians, and the geographic proximity requirements mandated by state law.
Certain states set caps on the number of NPs and PAs a single physician can collaborate with, thereby limiting the availability of collaborating physicians. This scarcity can drive up the pay rates in these states. Notable examples include California, Texas, and Ohio, where the strict ratio limits make the demand for collaborating physicians higher.
Some states mandate that collaborating physicians either reside or practice within the state boundaries, or they require regular in-person meetings between the physician and their NP or PA collaborators. This stipulation can restrict the pool of available physicians and, in turn, influence pay levels. States like Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri are known for such requirements.
States that enforce both ratio caps and geographic proximity rules tend to have the highest costs associated with securing a collaborating physician. These regulatory environments create a more competitive and limited market for collaboration, which can significantly impact how much collaborating physicians are paid.
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Compensation for collaborating physicians can vary significantly across medical specialties, with specialists often commanding higher fees than general practitioners. This variance is largely due to the additional expertise and specific knowledge required in certain fields, and sometimes regulations requiring a specialist as a collaborator.
The nature of the clinic and the types of treatments offered also play a crucial role in determining the cost of finding a collaborating physician. Clinics that provide services requiring a high degree of oversight, such as those involving controlled medications or treatments with a higher risk profile, generally face higher costs when seeking a collaborating physician. The increased risk and responsibility necessitate higher compensation to account for the added complexity and potential liability.
Some examples of clinic types with higher costs are addiction treatment (Suboxone/Methadone), pain management, TRT/HRT, or ketamine.
In certain states, specific types of clinics, like Medical Spas (Med Spas), are subject to more stringent regulations. This translates into a need for more intensive oversight by collaborating physicians. This could be in-person visits, increased chart review, or proximity requirements. These additional requirements increase the time physicians invest and therefore increase pay rates.
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