The percentage of independent physicians versus those who are employed has decreased, according to Merritt Hawkins' 2019 Physician Inpatient/Outpatient Revenue Survey.
Merritt Hawkins emailed a survey to 3,000 hospital CFOs and other financial managers across the U.S. from October 2018 to December 2018. Hospital CFOs and financial managers reported the combined net inpatient and outpatient revenue generated by a full-time equivalent physician employed by the hospital or in independent practice. The survey was completed by 62 respondents, representing 93 hospitals.
2018
Independent: 31.4 percent
Employed by a hospital/hospital owned group/physician owned group: 49.1 percent
Other: 19.5 percent
2016
Independent: 32.7 percent
Employed by a hospital/hospital owned group/physician owned group: 57.9 percent
Other: 9.4 percent
2014
Independent: 34.6 percent
Employed by a hospital/hospital owned group/physician owned group: 52.8 percent
Other: 12.5 percent
2012
Independent: 48.5 percent
Employed by a hospital/hospital owned group/physician owned group: 43.7 percent
Other: 7.8 percent