Physicians generate nearly $1.6 million each for hospitals in fee-for-service annually, study finds

Despite the drive towards value-based payment models, physicians are bringing in $1.56 million each in inpatient and outpatient fee-for-service revenue to hospitals, according to a survey by AMN Healthcare subsidiary Merritt-Hawkins, a slight increase of $112,230 over 2013.

The Texas-based firm's 2016 Physician Inpatient/Outpatient Revenue Survey shows fee-for-service still dominates when it comes to hospital revenue. In fact, a separate study published in March by Health Affairs found that 95 percent of all physicians office visits were reimbursed as fee-for-service in 2013.

[Also: Fee-for-service remains dominant payment method for physician visits, study says]

The Merritt-Hawkins survey showed specialist physicians bring in the highest net revenue for inpatient/outpatient care, with the average hitting $1.6 million for 2016, an increase of roughly $400,000 over 2013 figures. Primary Care physicians had the lowest average in 2016 of $1.4 million, down from $1.56 million in 2013, the survey showed.

In general, demand for healthcare services has increased dramatically since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Millions more Americans now have health insurance and are seeking care. A new Gallup poll shows that the uninsured rate is at its lowest in eight years, after leveling off in 2015, coming in at 11 percent for the first quarter of the year. This is a significant decline since late 2013, just before the provision of the Affordable Care Act took effect requiring  adults to obtain health insurance, Gallup said.

The Department of Health and Human Services plans to have 30 percent of Medicare payments tied to quality or value through alternative payment models by the end of 2016, and 50 percent by the end of 2018.

Twitter: @BethJSanborn