Most hospitals offer incentive bonuses to physicians contingent upon a variety of factors, including productivity, quality and patient satisfaction, according to Medscape’s Physician Compensation Report 2025.
Medscape surveyed 7,322 physicians in 29 specialties from Oct. 3, 2024 to Jan. 15, 2025 and found 63% reported receiving incentive bonuses. The average bonus was $50,000 per year with most emphasizing patient volume and outcomes.
The breakdown of factors affecting incentive bonuses include:
- RVUs generated: 59%
- Quality care metrics: 40%
- Patient satisfaction ratings: 24%
- Records completion: 23%
- Number of procedures: 20%
- Patient mix: 11%
- Payer mix: 11%
- Patient throughput time: 10%
- Cost of care reduction: 9%
- Other: 15%
Most of the physicians felt their performance bonus was structured in a way they could control. They are able to maximize the bonus as desired, according to the report.
