A few comments. There are NOT two pay scales in some states. I get paid the exact amount as any other doctor performing the same procedure(s). I personally would not practice in any area that paid an orthopod more for the same procedure that I performed.
There are groups, supergroups, etc. However, I would disagree with the comment above about there being a lot of podiatric groups with ten or more docs. I've been to many states and politically involved, and know of very few podiatric groups with 10 doctors. I know of very few with even six or seven docs.
The term supergroup can be misleading. The only "true" supergroup I know is Village Podiatry in Atlanta, founded by Dr. Hellman. This is truly one practice with administrative board, with a lot of offices and doctors. On the other hand, there are newer supergroups which have formed in Ohio, Texas, New Jersey, that are really convenient mergers. These are multiple practices who have merged to share in some expenses, share billing responsibilities, participate in group purchasing, etc. However, each practice still maintains it's autonomy, with each practice making it's own hours, vacations, etc. It really isn't one practice such as Village Podiatry. Each office/practice retains it's own name and as stated, it's own autonomy. These new supergroups are really marriages of convenience, and are more realistically called group practices without walls.
