Follow the Money: Rethinking Physician Overhead and Compensation

Monday, October 19, 2026

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM PT

Location: West Exhibit Hall A, Learning Zone 7

Moderator(s)

VV

Varun V. Varadarajan, MD

Neurotologist
Sacramento Ear, Nose and Throat
Sacramento, California, United States

Panelist(s)

TF

Tim A. Fife, MD

Otolaryngologist
Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat
Sacramento, CA, United States
MS

Matthew D. Scarlett, MD

Otolaryngologist
Charleston ENT & Allergy
charleston, SC, United States
Jennifer M. Brookins, MBA

Vice Chair of Administration
University of Florida Department of Otolaryngology
Gainesville, FL, United States
HS

Hardy Shah, MS

Executive Chief Administrative Officer
UCLA Health
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Disclosure(s):

Tim A. Fife, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Matthew D. Scarlett, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Jennifer M. Brookins, MBA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Hardy Shah, MS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This panel compares real-world approaches to compensation and overhead allocation, including hybrid fixed/variable structures, fully equal overhead with equal income distribution, and RVU-based productivity models. Panelists will discuss how overhead is defined and when fixed, production-based, or RVU-based approaches fit best. The session will also address how ancillary revenue, payer mix variation, and clinic resources influence perceived fairness and long-term practice sustainability.

Learning Objectives:

Define key components of overhead and how they vary across otolaryngology practice settings.
Describe fixed, production-based, and hybrid overhead allocation models used in multi-partner practices.
Demonstrate how different overhead models can affect physician behavior and practice sustainability