This Article Reprint (PDF) Submit a response to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services E-mail this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Archive Download to Citation Manager Reprints & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (9) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rice, T. Articles by Brasure, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rice, T. Articles by Brasure, M. Related Collections Business Of Health Physicians

Health Affairs, Vol 15, Issue 3, 215-225
Copyright © 1996 by Project HOPE

DataWatch

Do physicians cost shift?

This study analyzes whether physicians charge their privately insured patients more-a practice known as cost shifting-in response to Medicare payment reductions. As part of congressional legislation in 1989 and 1990, Medicare reduced its payment rates for selected procedures by as much as 30 percent. Here we examine whether reductions in Medicare rates increase how much physicians charge privately insured patients. Our data provide no evidence that physicians respond to Medicare payment reductions by shifting costs to their privately insured patients.

                      What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Rice, S. C. Stearns, D. E. Pathman, S. DesHarnais, M. Brasure, and M. Tai-Seale A Tale of Two Bounties: The Impact of Competing Fees on Physician Behavior Journal of Health Politics Policy and Law, January 1, 1999; 24(6): 1307 - 1330. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Zuckerman, S. A. Norton, and D. Verrilli Price Controls and Medicare Spending: Assessing the Volume Offset Assumption Med Care Res Rev, December 1, 1998; 55(4): 457 - 478. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Kominski Commentary Med Care Res Rev, December 1, 1998; 55(4): 479 - 483. [PDF]