Becker's ASC Review

18 GASTROENTEROLOGY 19 insights on gastroenterology and ASCs By Patsy Newitt H ere are 19 insights on gastroenterolo- gist debt, net worth, compensation and procedure costs: ese statistics were drawn from Medscape's "Physician Debt and Net Worth Report 2021," "Physician Compensation Report 2021," Mer- ritt Hawkins' Physician Revenue Calculator, Doximity's "2021 Physician Compensation Report" and a report from job market research company Zippia. 1. Gastroenterology pay increased 3 percent in the last year, from $485,817 to $500,400. 2. Pediatric gastroenterology salaries hit $295,751 in 2021, a 5.4 percent increase from 2020. 3. Gastroenterology is the 10th highest-paid physician specialty. 4. e average incentive bonus for gastroen- terologists is $60,000. 5. Gastroenterology is a largely male-domi- nated field — 24 percent of gastroenterolo- gists are women. 6. Gastroenterologists on average spend 15.2 hours a week on paperwork and administra- tion. 7. About half of gastroenterologists (55 percent) say they feel fairly compensated. Out of 29 specialties, gastroenterologists were ranked 21st among those in a specialty who felt fairly compensated. 8. Most gastroenterologists (93 percent) say they would choose the same specialty again. 9. Florida and Texas led the charge in gastroenterology development in 2021. Becker's ASC Review reported on 112 new gastroenterology clinic openings, expansions of services, affiliations, partnerships and transactions. 10. Wyoming is ranked the top state in the country for gastroenterologists to live and work. 11. Performing a gastroenterology procedure at an ASC is generally cheaper than at a hos- pital outpatient department. 12. e percentage of gastroenterologists with a net worth over $5 million is 4 percent. 13. e percentage of gastroenterologists with a net worth under $500,000 is 1 percent. 14. e percent of gastroenterologists who are still paying off their student loans is 17 percent. 15. e percentage of gastroenterologists with homes larger than 5,000 square feet is 19. percent. 16. e number of gastroenterologists pro- viding patient care is 12,824. 17. e percentage of board-certified gastro- enterologists is 95 percent. 18. e percentage of gastroenterologists who are age 55 and older is 51 percent. 19. Average gastroenterologist revenue is $1.4 million. n Arkansas practice joins GI Alliance to form state's largest gastro- enterologist network By Marcus Robertson N orthwest Arkansas Gastroenterologists has joined Dallas-based GI Alliance to form the state's larg- est gastroenterologist network. With the partnership, GI Alliance expands its footprint to the Arkansas communities of Fayetteville, Bentonville and Rogers, the practice said Jan. 18. Northwest Arkansas Gastroenterologists has provided care in the region for more than 20 years, GI Alliance said. The practice's six physicians and three advanced practice providers have adopted the name GI Alliance of Arkansas. "Our partnership with GI Alliance provides significant in- frastructure, ancillary resources, and operational support to our growing market," GI Alliance of Arkansas physician Kevin O'Keefe, MD, said in a news release. "Our patients will benefit through our ability to focus our efforts on ensuring the best patient experience possible." n Gastro Health kicks off 2022 with 2 deals in Florida, Maryland By Patsy Newitt M iami-based Gastro Health is starting off the new year with two major deals in Maryland and Florida, according to two Jan. 5 news releases shared with Becker's ASC Review. The fast-growing, private equity-backed company has a presence in Florida, Alabama, Washington, Virginia, Ohio and Maryland with over 140 locations and 315 physicians. Here are the two acquisitions, both closed on Dec. 31: 1. The company inked a deal with Gastroenterology Associ- ates of Pensacola (Fla.). The practice has eight physicians, 12 advanced practice providers and 17 office locations spanning Florida and Alabama. The practice specializes in the treatment of a host of upper and lower gastrointestinal and digestive disorders. The deal is Gastro Health's first in northern Florida, accord- ing to the release. 2. Gastro Health also acquired Optimal Digestive Care in Frederick, Md. The practice is led by David Kossoff, MD, and specializes in adult digestive tract diseases. n

• Cover