Four Benefits of Working in Government Medicine
Practicing medicine is often seen as a lucrative career with the potential to earn a considerable income. As a physician, you will have many options for employment. Many people are surprised to discover that government salaries for physicians are competitive with those of private hospitals and clinics, especially when the full range of government benefits is included in the comparison. Consider these four benefits of working as a physician for the local, state or federal government.
Enjoy the Paid Medical Malpractice Insurance
Many physicians employed by the government have their medical malpractice insurance paid for by the agency where they work. By having the medical malpractice insurance paid for by the government, these physicians are able to reduce their expenses of practicing medicine. In addition, the 1946 Federal Tort Claims Act stipulates that physicians working or volunteering for the government cannot be directly sued by a patient. This further protects a government physician against economic harm.[1]
Experience Opportunities to Care for Under-served Populations
Many physicians employed by local, state or federal government agencies are able to care for under-served populations. For example, working as a physician at a local health department could give you the chance to provide essential medical care for children and pregnant women from low-income households. Working as a physician in the Veteran’s Medical Administration would allow you to provide medical care to the men and women who have served and protected the country. The Veteran’s Medical Administration provides a full range of services, so you could find employment there no matter your area of medical expertise.
Conduct Research or Work on Unusual Diseases
The federal government has many research institutions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute. These facilities employ physicians who are able to conduct research and work on unusual diseases. If you are interested in tropical medicine or diseases that are only rarely seen in the United States, working as a government physician doing research and occasionally traveling to the places where such diseases occur could be a thrilling opportunity for your career. Your work as a medical researcher for the federal government could lead to the recognition of new diseases or the development of new treatments for diseases that cause disability, hardship or death.
Receive a Full Government Benefits Package
Working in federal government medicine entitles you to the federal employee health benefits program. This program includes medical, vision and dental insurance. You will also be able to fund a flexible spending account of up to $5,000 per year to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses.[2] This money is tax-free and could be used for services such as doctor’s office co-pays, durable medical goods, orthodontic care and more. Government physicians are also entitled to a retirement plan, Social Security, childcare and dependent benefits, life insurance and other programs.
References:
- http://healthblog.ncpa.org/doctors-who-work-for-the-government-already-have-medical-malpractice-reform/#sthash.cQcsmD5Z.dpbs
- http://www.gogovernment.org/government_101/benefits.php