Physician Recruitment Process and Compensation Overview
A Comprehensive Package That Values Your Expertise
Montrose Regional Health offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain exceptional physicians while recognizing the unique value you bring to this underserved community. The financial package reflects not only market-competitive cardiology compensation but also includes rural incentives and comprehensive benefits that provide security for you and your family.
Your total compensation recognizes that you are building a cardiology program in a rural area where your expertise makes a transformative difference in patient care. The package is structured to provide predictable income security while you establish your practice, with transparency about expectations and support for your success.
Base Compensation:
- Competitive annual base salary in the range of $500,000-$580,000, commensurate with experience and training
- Additional 15% rural health incentive reflecting the community's commitment to recruiting specialists to underserved areas
- Salary guarantee during initial practice build-up phase
- Clear, reasonable productivity expectations once practice is established
- Annual compensation reviews with potential for increases based on performance and market conditions
Benefits Package:
- Health Insurance - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family with employer contribution toward premiums
- Malpractice Insurance - Full professional liability coverage including tail coverage when you leave (occurrence-based policy)
- Retirement Planning - 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions to help build long-term financial security
- Life Insurance - Employer-provided term life insurance policy
- Disability Coverage - Long-term disability insurance protecting your income in case of illness or injury
Time Off and Professional Development:
- Generous paid time off (PTO) policy allowing you to recharge and maintain work-life balance
- Separate CME allowance to support continuing medical education and maintenance of board certification
- CME time off in addition to PTO for attending conferences and educational activities
- Professional dues and licensure fees covered including state medical license, DEA registration, and professional society memberships
- Support for board certification and recertification expenses
Relocation Support:
- Comprehensive relocation assistance package to help you and your family transition smoothly to Southwest Colorado
- Reimbursement for moving expenses
- Temporary housing assistance during your transition period if needed
- Support in connecting with local realtors and community resources
Additional Financial Advantages:
- Student Loan Assistance - Potential eligibility for federal and state loan repayment programs given the rural location and underserved area designation
- No State Income Tax Disadvantage - Colorado's moderate state income tax rates (currently flat 4.4%) compare favorably to many states, and the overall tax burden is reasonable relative to the lower cost of living
- Lower Cost of Living - Your compensation goes significantly further here than in metropolitan areas, with housing costs 40-50% lower than Denver or major California markets
- Reduced Commuting Costs - Minimal commute times mean lower transportation expenses and less vehicle wear
- No Parking Fees - Free parking at all clinic and hospital locations (a benefit that saves thousands annually compared to urban practices)
Practice Support:
- Dedicated medical assistant provided at no cost to you
- All administrative overhead covered including billing, scheduling, IT support, and office supplies
- Marketing support to help build your patient base and establish community presence
- No buy-in required - you are an employed physician without partnership capital requirements
- Malpractice claims management and legal support provided by the organization
Lifestyle Value Proposition:
While the compensation package is competitive with metropolitan cardiology positions, the true financial advantage becomes clear when you consider the cost of living differential. Your compensation will afford you:
- The ability to purchase a beautiful home with acreage for $400,000-$600,000 (similar properties in Denver metro would cost $800,000-$1,200,000+)
- Significantly lower property taxes compared to many states
- Reduced everyday expenses for groceries, dining, and services
- Lower childcare and private school costs if you have children
- More disposable income for recreation, travel, and savings despite a comparable gross salary
The compensation structure recognizes that recruiting a cardiologist to a rural area requires not just competitive pay but also comprehensive support. You will have clarity about expectations from day one, with productivity targets that are reasonable and achievable. The organization is committed to your long-term success and retention, not just meeting short-term staffing needs.
Perhaps most importantly, this position offers something increasingly rare in modern cardiology: the financial security of employed practice combined with the professional autonomy of running your own service line. You receive the predictable income and comprehensive benefits of employment without the administrative burden of private practice or the productivity pressures of large corporate cardiology groups.
The benefits package provides peace of mind knowing that you and your family have excellent health coverage, strong retirement planning, and protection against unexpected events. The generous time off allows you to truly enjoy the outdoor recreation and lifestyle that drew you to Colorado in the first place, while the CME support ensures you can maintain clinical excellence throughout your career.
Montrose Regional Health views physician compensation not as an expense to be minimized but as an investment in the community's health. They understand that attracting and retaining an excellent cardiologist requires a package that reflects both your market value and the impact you will have on countless lives in Southwest Colorado.