Use and cost of physician and supplier services under Medicare, 1986

Abstract

There is general consensus that the present Medicare physician payment system and related policies should be revised. Therefore, the Health Care Financing Administration and Congress are examining the physician reimbursement system for potential changes that could reverse the inflationary incentives in the present system and induce greater incentives for efficiency and cost savings. Medicare program data and information are provided to assist health care managers and administrators in the development and analysis of Medicare physician research and policy initiatives. The data may also be helpful in monitoring and measuring the use and cost of Medicare physician and supplier services as related to program performance and administration.

Figure 1. National physician expenditures, Medicare total expenditures, and Medicare physician expenditures: Selected calendar years 1970-86

Figure 2. Percent distribution of Medicare allowed charges for physician and related services, by type of service: Calendar year 1986

Figure 3. Percent distribution of Medicare allowed charges for physician and related services, by place of service: Calendar year 1986

Figure 4. Number of Medicare physician services per user and average allowed charge per user, by physician specialty: 1986