The MSP role at a glance

As healthcare reform drives consolidation, integration, and value-based reimbursement, the modern MSP’s influence spans more functions, facilities, and settings than ever before. To meet the demands of an industry on the move, MSPs must be fierce advocates not only for the patients they protect and the practitioners they support, but also for the profession they’ve chosen.

Nearly 1,000 responses to the 2016 MSP Salary Survey paint the picture of a profession that’s at once niche and expansive: Almost one-third of this year’s respondents work in a facility that employs one or fewer full-time MSPs, yet survey takers span the care continuum. Geographically, the 2016 survey drew respondents from every U.S. state, plus several overseas locales (e.g., Lebanon and Egypt).

Although MSPs’ workforces trend lean, their roles are growing in scope and significance. Long-standing functions like credentialing, privileging, and data management remain among the most time-intensive for this year’s respondents, but a brand-new survey question reveals that nearly one-third are part of a department that performs both medical staff services and provider enrollment. MSPs’ work environments are likewise evolving. In another new survey focus, nearly one-third of respondents reported that their employer permits telecommuting.

The freedom to clock hours off-site isn’t the only showing of employer support. Despite widespread efforts to reduce healthcare spending, almost half of this year’s respondents work for organizations that offer tuition reimbursement, and nearly three in four can request funding for conference attendance.  

Compensation on the whole is strong, if somewhat static. For the second year in a row, the largest percentage of survey takers make between $70,001 and $100,000. Beyond substantial base salaries, almost three in four of this year’s respondents have seen a raise in the past year.

While college educations and certification remain popular among 2016 respondents, certain degrees and credentials have lost ground. Almost half of survey takers possess certification from the National Association Medical Staff Services, but the percentage of those with a Certified Professional Medical Services Management credential is at a four-year low. Higher education rates have seen similar oscillation. Compared to previous years, more 2016 Salary Survey respondents hold bachelor’s degrees, but slightly fewer hold master’s degrees.

Another predictor of career advancement, longevity has also seen some subtle fluctuation. Although nearly half of last year’s respondents have been in the medical staff services field for more than 15 years, this turnout of industry veterans is the lowest in three years. In contrast, there’s a noticeable uptick in newcomers, who are likelier than their more seasoned counterparts to hold a four-year college degree. Given the profession’s growing rigor, MSPs hoping to stay competitive must sharpen and diversify their skill sets through ongoing professional development activities, according to 2016 MSP Salary Survey Special Report contributors.

Source: 2016 MSP Salary Survey Special Report

Did you know?

Did you know Credentialing Resource Center members receive the 2016 MSP Salary Survey Special Report as a complimentary membership benefit? CRC members can click here to download the report. Not a CRC member? Click here to purchase the report.