The study authors investigated provider and regional payment variation to surgeons from CMS with data released for 2012. The data included Medicare B participants in the fee-for-service program. The researchers found:
1. The services-per-beneficiary ratios were:
• 20th percentile: 1.6
• 40th percentile: 2.2
• 60th percentile: 3.1
• 80th percentile: 5.0
2. The surgeons who earned more offered more services per beneficiary. There is a precipitous increase from the lowest docile to the highest docile.
3. The charges between the physicians were consistently greater than payments by a factor of three.
4. The female providers had lower ratios on a multivariate analysis of services per beneficiary ratio.
5. There was a regional variation in the ratio of services per beneficiary.
More articles on healthcare:
How to maintain independence in anesthesiology
5 family vacation spots for physicians
5 ways to improve patient safety
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
