Thread: Private practice?

I'm thinking of going into FM or EM. For those of you finishing or done with FM or IM have you decided to start your own practice, join a group or other? Does it depend on what part of the country you want to live? I'm planning on living in southern cal.

from what i saw in florida the trend seems to be towards groups since malpractice keeps going up. my friends rates went from 9k one year to 18k next year and is now at 38k and he has never been sued! that is just insane. last year there was actually a day where they walked off the job and went to tallahassee kind of like in virginia i beleive or maybe it was jersey. california is proof that putting a cap on rates will not bankrupt inurance companies and probably one of the best places to start a private practice for that reason. another friend of mine who is an ob pays 176k for his group of two docs in florida and was considering a move to CA where he was quoted 28k as the rate. big difference. just what i saw working in the med field, doctor friends, and from countless drug dinners listening to people wanting to get out of private practice and NOT direct personal experience. the only people who have a harder time starting a business are labs.

I joined a group. I thin it was the best road to take. The practice is already established. I see 30 patients a day on most days, so I'm billing plenty. They cover my malpractice, I get health benefits and a 401K that they match 1:1 after I'm there a year. I get paid a salary, so I know how much money is coming in every month. I don't have the hassle of hiring and firing an office staff. I just do my job and go home. I may make $15K-$20K less than someone in their own practice, but I work 40 hours a week, and have a whole lot less stress. I think it is well worth it. G