Physician Assistant - Acute Care - Gastroenterology - Northeast

Local GI market

256 gastroenterologists

within 30 miles. That is 16.4 per 100,000 adults aged 45-74, 21% more than the US average (13.6).

33% of them finished medical school 30 or more years ago (US: 36%).

Source: CMS Doctors and Clinicians file; Census ACS 2019-2023.

Procedure mix nearby

62% colonoscopy

Medicare fee-for-service procedures billed within 30 miles in 2024: 41,124 colonoscopies, 21,507 EGDs, 1,958 ERCPs, 1,317 EUS.

ERCP volume is heavy and EUS is heavy for the population, compared with the US (adjusted for Medicare Advantage share). 97% done in a hospital or surgery center; 66% by gastroenterologists.

54.7% of adults 45-75 in this county are up to date on colorectal screening, 3.1 points below the state (57.8%).

61% of Medicare patients here are in Medicare Advantage (state: 55%). Medicare procedure counts above cover only the other 39%.

Source: CMS Medicare Physician and Other Practitioners by provider and service, 2024 (fee-for-service only; services for fewer than 11 patients hidden). CMS MA penetration; CDC PLACES 2025 (2022 survey).

Cost of living

Prices in Texas are 2.9% below the US average.

Texas has no state income tax on wages.

Source: BEA regional price parities, 2024. State level; big metros cost more. Tax: Tax Foundation 2026 state brackets.

Hospitals and surgery centers

40 hospitals, 64 surgery centers

within 30 miles. 35 of the hospitals run an emergency department; 11 of 22 rated hold 4 or 5 CMS stars.

Nearest: Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital (2 mi, 3 stars); Cleveland Emergency Hospital (2 mi); Townsen Memorial Hospital (2 mi).

26 of the surgery centers reported 27,607 Medicare outpatient colonoscopies in a year. More endoscopy centers usually means more ASC ownership and partnership options.

Source: CMS Care Compare, Hospital General Information and ASC Quality Reporting (ASC-12 colonoscopy cases, Medicare fee-for-service). Located by ZIP code.

State rules for your contract

Noncompete: Limited by state law

At most 1 year and 5 miles; buyout capped at 1 year of pay. Void if fired without good cause. Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §§ 15.50, 15.501 (SB 1318), from 2025-09-01. Usually covers only contracts signed after that date.

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact: member (faster multi-state licensing).

State law summary, not legal advice. Have a contract lawyer read your agreement. Source; IMLC states; all states.

Visas (H-1B / J-1)

No H-1B filings for GI physicians from this employer in the data we hold. That does not mean it will not sponsor.

All GI H-1B filings in Texas: 20, median $345k.

Parts of this county are federal primary care shortage areas (HPSAs). Check the exact practice address. Conrad 30 J-1 waiver jobs usually must be in a shortage area; each state sets its own rules. State J-1 waiver contacts (3RNET).

Source: US Dept. of Labor LCA disclosure data (certified H-1B, FY2024-FY2026); HRSA HPSA data. All GI H-1B employers