Compensation is usually a taboo conversation in every industry. Interestingly, health care leaders don't mind talking about how they calculate physician salaries, but don't ask them to chat about how they calculate their own. That conversation quickly runs dry.

Although the rule does not apply to not-for-profit health care and was not written with this sector in mind, it provides helpful guideposts for such organizations given the potential for governance-related "spillover" from the public company sector. Compensation committees in the not-for-profit health care sector would be well-advised to consider the extent to which applying the prescribed compensation advisor independence factors would strengthen their decision-making process, as conflicts of interest (real or perceived) can compromise an effective executive compensation governance process.

Though few external benchmark resources are available to help create the guiding metrics, boards continue to try to shift away from rewarding solely on organization-wide financial performance and move toward incentivizing for quality and patient satisfaction. Ultimately, though, fiscal goals still dominate when it comes to incentivizing the C-suite.

Each year, Modern Healthcare publishes a list of the "Best Places to Work in Healthcare." For this year's article, SullivanCotter Managing Director Chris Terranova Asselta was interviewed for her reaction to what organizations must do to create great work environments.

When hospitals and health systems need to re-evaluate their expenses, benefits programs are usually among the first areas to succumb to the chopping block, but providers should look closely at all benefits programs before making any cuts, according to a whitepaper from SullivanCotter

Physician shortages are prompting hospitals and other provider organizations to rely more on advanced practice clinicians, or physician extenders. In theory, APCs are less expensive because their salaries and compensation are less than those of physicians, according to a white paper from SullivanCotter

Developed by the Commonwealth Center for Governance Studies, Inc. at the University of Kentucky, this extensive study examines current profile and emerging patterns.

SullivanCotter announces expansion of health care compensation expertise with addition of Principal Andrew Lewis in Denver and Managing Principal Jose Pagoaga in the Atlanta office

The Summer 2012 issue of Enrolled Actuaries Report includes an article written by SullivanCotter Principal David Cohn which summarizes topics discussed during Session 702 at the Enrolled Actuaries Meeting.

How health systems also are looking at ways to hold onto their existing doctors.

SullivanCotter Survey Finds That Nearly Three-Quarters of Hospitals and Health Care Systems Report Increased Physician Staffing Levels.

2011 Survey of Manager and Executive Compensation in Hospitals and Health Systems released by SullivanCotter

SullivanCotter (SullivanCotter), a health care compensation and human resource management consulting firm, has announced an office relocation in the Detroit market. The new location is at 4000 Town Center, Suite 1750, Southfield, MI 48075-1411.

SullivanCotter, announced today that it has acquired the Physician Compensation Practice of RSM McGladrey, Inc., a leading provider of tax and consulting services. The acquisition strengthens SullivanCotter's physician compensation and survey practice and further positions the firm as an industry leader.

A guest blog post by Warren Kerper, Managing Principal in the Boston office of SullivanCotter, appearing on Verrill Dana, LLP's Benefits Law Update.

SullivanCotter has opened its newest business location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A report by SullivanCotter, a consulting firm with expertise in healthcare executive compensation, reveals how the healthcare reform law may affect executives' benefits agreements.

The SEC recently issued proposed rules on consultant and compensation committee independence, as required under the Dodd-Frank legislation. Currently the SEC is seeking comments and the rules will be finalized thereafter. The fact sheet below below provides a summary of the findings and below that is a link to the full rules.

Physician Compensation Practice Group Leader Kim Mobley along with Claire Turcotte, a Partner with Bricker & Eckler LLP will present on "Governance Best Practices for Physician Compensation and Contracting" at the AHLA Annual Meeting and In-House Counsel Program.