The financial and employment effects of coronavirus disease 2019 on physicians in the United States

Abstract

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc with the U.S healthcare system and physicians, the financial and contractual implications for physicians are now beginning to come to the forefront. Financial assistance from the federal government is mainly going to hospitals, which have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 illness. Some physician groups have or are receiving assistance through a few programs, although the accelerated and advance payments have been suspended. Employed surgeons are now being furloughed, terminated, or persuaded to agree to a significant cut in pay, forego bonuses or take leave without pay as healthcare systems and some physician groups start to feel the consequences of halting elective procedures. Newly hired surgeons may be forced in a few cases to agree to delays in starting their job, new amendments, changes in employment status and other terms for fear of losing their job. We explain some agreement terminology and options available to allow physicians to understand the terms of their employment agreement and make their decisions after consulting with an expert healthcare attorney.

Extremely wicked, shockingly evil and undoubtedly COVID-19: the silent serial killer

“…In terms of support that should be provided to all ENT doctors, 58 of them agreed on health services and 48 expected financial support and 92 agreed on all services including psychological counselling. To help healthcare systems, USA has signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act providing 100 billion dollars to the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse eligible health care providers for healthcare-related expenses or lost revenues attributed to COVID-19 [ 5 ]. Europe has decided to provide incentives for surge capacity like Germany pays hospitals 50,000 Euros for each new intensive care unit bed, Netherlands receives 10 Euros for each registered patients and so on.…”

“…It showed a decrease in revenue by 55% and 22% layoffs amongst medical practices [ 4 ]. Another publication also discusses the financial issues associated with independent vascular surgeons [ 5 ].…”

Clinical leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic: Reflections and lessons learned

“…The majority of government funding was allocated to hospitals; clinicians involved in providing outpatient and elective services (eg, surgeons, primary care providers, and surgical nurses) as well as hospital-based clinicians with volume-driven income (eg, the ED) suffered significant loss of income which added additional stress and negatively impacted clinicians’ emotional well-being. 19,26,27…”

“…The majority of government funding was allocated to hospitals; clinicians involved in providing outpatient and elective services (eg, surgeons, primary care providers, and surgical nurses) as well as hospital-based clinicians with volume-driven income (eg, the ED) suffered significant loss of income which added additional stress and negatively impacted clinicians' emotional well-being. 19,26,27 Joslin & Joslin 19 reported the four key challenges identified by nurse executives across the United States: implementing and communicating policy changes; being able to flex up staffing to address volume and acuity surges; ensuring emotional health of clinicians as well as access and availability of PPE and other medical equipment. These challenges are transferable system-wide and should be used as the basis in developing a pandemic playbook at all levels.…”

Clinical Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexican Patients with Thoracic Malignancies

“…Apart from the detrimental physical effects of cancer, the patients' mental health has been deeply affected by the pandemic [17,18]. A particular concern is the additive negative impact of COVID-19 due to unemployment [19], economic insecurity, the death of loved ones, social isolation [20], and disruption of daily life.…”