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16 ASC MANAGEMENT 10 stats on GI compensation, debt, net worth & more By Eric Oliver M edscape released its "Physician Com- pensation Report 2020" and its "Physi- cian Debt & Net Worth Report 2020," offering a comprehensive picture of physician finances. Medscape surveyed 17,461 physicians across more than 20 specialties between October 2019 and February 2020 for both reports. Here are 10 things to know about gastroenterol- ogy compensation, debt, net worth and more: 1. Gastroenterologists reported average annual compensation of $419,000, the sixth highest amount of specialty physicians. 2. When gastroenterologists received an incen- tive bonus, they received around $63,000, the seventh highest amount of specialty physicians. 3. Compensation was flat for gastroenterology, one of only four other specialties that didn't report an increase between 2019 and 2020. 4. Only 52 percent of gastroenterologists re- ported feeling fairly compensated, the seventh lowest of specialty physicians. 5. Still, 91 percent of gastroenterologists said they'd choose the same specialty again if starting over, the eighth highest of specialty physicians. 6. Sixteen percent of gastroenterologists said they had a net worth of more than $5 million, the third highest of specialty physicians. 7 Only 18 percent of gastroenterologists reported having a net worth under $500,000, the lowest of any primary care or specialty physician. 8. Fourteen percent of gastroenterologists said they were still paying off their medical school loans, once again the lowest of any primary care or specialty physician. 9. Seventeen percent of gastroenterologists said they had a house that was larger than 5,000 square feet, the fourth highest percentage among specialty physicians. 10. Related to homes, 18 percent of gastro- enterologists said they had a mortgage above $500,000. n Anesthesiologist compensation in 2020: 5 things to know By Angie Stewart Anesthesiologists earn $398,000 a year, on average, according to Med- scape's "Anesthesiologist Compensation Report 2020." Medscape collected data from more than 17,000 physician respondents in over 30 specialties. Five things to know: 1. Anesthesiologists' average annual income was up slightly from 2019, when the average was $392,000. 2. In 2020, the average annual bonus for anesthesiologists represented 14 percent of the average total salary for their specialty. 3. Nearly 3 in 4 anesthesiologists achieved more than three-fourths of their potential annual incentive bonus. 4. The average anesthesiologist achieved 78 percent of his or her poten- tial incentive bonus. 5. The average male anesthesiologist earned $410,000 annually, where- as women in the field made $354,000 a year, on average. n Kentucky physician pleads guilty to illegal opioid distribution, charging $50-$75 for prescriptions: 5 details By Laura Dyrda A former pain management physician in Kentucky pleaded guilty to illegal opioid distribution, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. Five things to know: 1. Scott Akers, MD, who previously practiced in Pikesville, Ky., and his wife who served as his office assistant pleaded guilty to illegal distribu- tion of controlled substances. According to the report, he kept writing pain drug prescriptions for former patients after he stopped practicing there in 2016. 2. In some cases, Dr. Akers wrote prescriptions for individuals without examining them. He wrote prescriptions for people who contacted him and his wife through Facebook or text messages. 3. Dr. Akers sometimes charged $50 to $75 for prescriptions. He pre- scribed more than 8,800 opioid pills from November 2017 to May 2018, according to the Lexington Herald Leader. 5. Dr. Akers and his wife did not keep records of the prescriptions and allowed for early refills, according to the news release. 5. Dr. Akers faces 20 years in prison and will be sentenced in November. He also agreed to pay $12,275 money judgement. n