This is a common question among those who are considering becoming a doctor. After all, the process of becoming a doctor is very expensive. There is a four year bachelor’s degree and then you must complete a six or seven year residency program. After that you will be able to obtain a license to practice medicine in most states. Once you have done all of that, you can start your own practice and bill your insurance company for all the health problems you diagnose and treat.
The key question is: how much does a doctor get paid for writing a prescription? The short answer is: it depends on how many prescriptions you write. The median salary for a general practitioner in 2017 was $307,520, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).[1] The range was from $225,000 to $400,000, with about 40% earning less than $200,000 per year. Keep in mind that this does not include any other revenue streams, such as consulting or teaching, which can add up to a significant amount of money for some doctors. In 2017, the average net income of an individual physician was $361,092, according to the AMA.[2]
How Do You Pay For All Of That?
To be able to provide the best possible care for his or her patients, doctors must have adequate funding to pay for adequate staff, equipment, and the malpractice insurance premiums. One way that some doctors make extra money is by giving certain patients a “discount” if they agree to pay for the prescription drugs they need upfront. In return, the doctor gets paid a percentage of the discounted price for the medication. The amount of the discount can vary from 10% to 75% and is typically administered as a credit on the druggist’s website. Some doctors also receive payments from medical device manufacturers for “bundling” services, such as tests and surgeries, with the aim of promoting the sale of their products. Finally, some doctors become paid experts and consult for health companies or organizations, earning a fee for each recommendation they make.
There are a number of ways that doctors can make money. However, the most popular and effective method is still being a general practitioner and seeing patients in person. The key is to find a way to provide value add, beyond what is included in the cost of medical care, in order to generate revenue streams that can supplement your income.
If you are thinking about becoming a doctor, it is important to understand how costly the process is. Take the time to do your research and find out what specific niche you will be fitting into. Then, determine how you will generate extra income, such as through the use of a medical device or pharmaceutical, or by consulting for a medical or insurance company. Only then can you begin to estimate the approximate cost of becoming a doctor.