Orthopedic surgeons reported a steep drop in work relative value units, but the compensation per unit increased, according to AMGA's 2021 Medical Group Compensation and Productivity survey.
The wRVU for orthopedic surgeons was down 14.84 percent in 2020 from 2019. Compensation per wRVU increased 11.36 percent, meaning overall pay dropped less than 1 percent in 2020. Pay among all surgical specialties was up 1.95 percent on average, and median wRVU decreased 11.97 percent.
The large declines in wRVU reflect canceled surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, half of physicians said guaranteed compensation was reduced, and 25 percent said they received advanced salaries that would be balanced later.