The million-dollar mistake most physicians make...

The million-dollar mistake most physicians make isn't clinical.

It's at the negotiation table.

𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻. This pattern can cost over $2 million across a career. The gender gap makes it worse—studies show women physicians negotiate only 10% of the time, compared to 60% of men, creating lifetime earning disparities that compound over time.

We spend decades learning medicine, but no one teaches us how to negotiate. It’s a skill I had to learn through missed opportunities.

This is how I learned to approach it:

I began tracking my RVU data—it's vitally important. When I discovered I was producing significantly more than peers but didn’t have resources commiserate with that production, I didn't wait for annual review to bring it up.

I approached the decision-maker with three things:

• My production data compared to benchmarks

• Market compensation rates for my volume

• Competing offers as leverage

In other words: my value had increased, and compensation both monetary and non-monetary should reflect that.

Physician compensation can appear "fixed" in budgets, but really, hospitals maintain flexibility for high performers who demonstrate their value.

I also learned this: **negotiation isn't a one-time event.** It’s something you initiate during five key career moments:

• Starting a new position

• When another hospital tries to recruit you

• When your specialty faces a shortage

• When you've become a recognized expert

• When you've achieved national prominence

You don't need to be confrontational—just informed, prepared, and willing to ask.

What's the last meaningful negotiation you initiated?