In 2001/02, family physicians who billed at least $60 000 received, on average, $67 910 less in fee-for-service payments than specialists, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).
Average gross payments to all physicians who billed at least $60 000 were reported as $221 901. Overall, billings were highest in Ontario, with an average of $240 096 per physician, and lowest in Quebec at $179 803.
To estimate net income, an adjustment for practice overhead is needed. According to the CMA 2002 Physician Resource Questionnaire (accuracy rate of ±1.9%) the average overhead for physicians who were primarily fee-for-service was 35% of gross earnings for family physicians, 27% for medical specialists and 33% for surgical specialists.
When the overhead estimates are applied to the CIHI gross billings, estimated 2001/02 average net incomes (before taxes) from fee-for-service payments were $124 103 for family physicians, $167 750 for medical specialists and $209 184 for surgical specialists. Net income is estimated at $183 775 for all specialists combined and $148 674 for all physicians. — Lynda Buske, Associate Director of Research, CMA
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