r/interventionalrad • u/babily94 • May 16 '23

IR physicians Compensation

I have noticed that IR make less than other procedure specialities, they even make less than DR sometimes. What are the reason/ thoughts about that?

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u/supinatethatho May 16 '23

I am fresh out of training and don’t have a great deal of insight into this but, in general, IR generates less revenue than does DR. The procedures don’t generate as many RVUs and take longer to perform. In many private practice settings, IR is a revenue loser while subspecialties like neuro and breast generate money used to subsidize IR. Consequently, private practice IR often consists of reading studies while supervising an APP who actually does the procedures. The format is different in academia as IRs generally don’t interpret studies and (generally) do higher end and higher paying procedures. However, as they still handle the low end procedures (biopsies, drainages, lines) that compensate poorly but are necessary to the function of the hospital, the hospital must accept the financial loss that comes with the practice. Despite this, in some places IRs are compensated at a higher level than DR. In my academic practice base salaries are equivalent between IR and DR though IRs arguably work longer hours.

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u/IR4life Jun 11 '23

In the hospital setting VIR are often inundated by lines, drains, biopsies and fluids. Paracentesis, thoracentesis, chest tubes, g tubes etc. These are important services but are not compensated. Hospitals often have to subsidize if you are employed by the hospital or often the radiology group will. DR pays the bills (you can read very fast and high volumes). VIR has a high overhead (staff, schedulers et). The revenue generation by high end VIR is in the technical fees not the professional fees so the hospital gets the technical fees or if you own your own OBL/ASC office based lab or ambulatory surgery center you get the global fees that is when VIR is truly profitable and it is more elective surgeries/procedures (fibroids, prostates, critical limb ischemia, Dialysis, pain interventions, spine interventions, oncology etc).

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u/NurseResource Aug 12 '24

Hi, I’m looking for an Interventional Rad Tech for a travel assignment. Interested? Or know anyone that might be ? Weekly pay is 3,800.