When will 5 ASC specialties return to pre-COVID-19 income levels?

Fourteen percent of gastroenterologists say they don't think their income will ever return to pre-COVID-19 levels. 

Here are five ASC specialties and when physicians say their income will recover, based on Medscape's 2021 Physician Compensation Report:

Orthopedics:

• 43 percent of orthopedists say income will return to pre-COVID-19 levels in the next 2-3 years
• 41 percent say in the next year
• 12 percent say it will never return
• 4 percent say in the next 4-5 years 
• 0 percent say in more than 5 years

Ophthalmology:

• 53 percent of ophthalmologists say income will return to pre-COVID-19 levels in the next year
• 37 percent say in the next 2-3 years
• 8 percent say it will never return 
• 2 percent say in the next 4-5 years 
• 1 percent says in more than 5 years

Gastroenterology:

• 50 percent of gastroenterologists say income will return to pre-COVID-19 levels in the next year
• 34 percent say in the next 2-3 years
• 14 percent say they will never return
• 2 percent say in the next 4-5 years 
• 0 percent say in more than 5 years

Anesthesia:

• 45 percent of anesthesiologists say income will return to pre-COVID-19 levels in the next year
• 36 percent say in the next 2-3 years
• 14 percent say it will never return
• 3 percent say in the next 4-5 years 
• 1 percent says in more than 5 years

Cardiology:

• 48 percent of cardiologists say income will return to pre-COVID-19 levels in the next year
• 38 percent say in the next 2-3 years
• 9 percent say it will never return 
• 3 percent say in the next 4-5 years 
• 1 percent says in more than 5 years