Volume and Intensity of Medicare Physicians' Services: an Overview

Overview

Journal Health Care Financ Rev

Specialty Health Services

Date 1991 Feb 3

PMID 10113398

Citations 3

Authors

T L Kay

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

From 1978 to 1987, Medicare spending for physicians' services increased at annual compound rates of 16 percent, far exceeding increases expected based on inflation and increases in beneficiaries. As a result, Medicare spending for Part B physicians' services has attracted considerable attention. This article contains an overview of expenditure trends for Part B physicians' services, a summary of recent research findings on issues related to volume and intensity of physicians' services, and a discussion of options for controlling volume and intensity. The possible impact of the recently enacted relative-value-based free schedule on volume and intensity of services is discussed briefly.

Citing Articles

Physician cost experience under private health insurance programs.

Dyckman Z Health Care Financ Rev. 1993; 13(3):85-96.

PMID: 10120185 PMC: 4193242.

Medicare expenditures for physician and supplier services, 1970-88.

Helbing C, Latta V, Keene R Health Care Financ Rev. 1992; 12(3):109-20.

PMID: 10113611 PMC: 4193651.

Physician behavioral response to a Medicare price reduction.

Nguyen N, Derrick F Health Serv Res. 1997; 32(3):283-98.

PMID: 9240281 PMC: 1070191.

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