Research from University of Tennessee yields new data on medicare and medicaid
2008 JAN 14 -- According to recent research published in the journal Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques, "Medicare, via its fee schedule, determines amount of payment to physicians for services for its beneficiaries. Because many private insurance companies base their payment schedule on Medicare rates, it is important for physicians to know the rates of commonly performed procedures." "In addition, it seems that public perception is that physicians receive substantial payments for procedures. This investigation explores patient, student, resident, and surgeon knowledge and opinion of Medicare reimbursements for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients, students, residents, and surgeons filled out an IRB-exempted survey. The survey included a written description of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All participants were asked to give their thoughts of what Medicare currently reimburses for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy ($622) and what they thought Medicare should reimburse for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for our geographic area. There were 105 participants (47 patients, 17 medical students, 33 surgical residents, and 8 attending surgeons) in the investigation. The reported mean reimbursements of what each group thought Medicare pays were patients, $9,396; students, $3,077; residents, $800; and surgeons, $711. The reported mean reimbursements of what each group thought Medicare should pay were patients, $8,067; students, $3,971; residents, $1,444; and surgeons, $1,600. The mean reimbursements were statistically different between all groups in both the amount Medicare currently pays and the amount Medicare should pay. Most of our participants overestimated what Medicare currently pays for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Even the mean amount reported in the attending surgeon group was greater than the actual payment," wrote A.K. Madan and colleagues, University of Tennessee. The researchers concluded: "All groups felt Medicare should pay more than the current rate; however, only patients thought Medicare should pay less than they currently pay (probably because of the incorrect perception of the current fee schedule)." Madan and colleagues published their study in Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques (Knowledge and opinions regarding Medicare reimbursement for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques, 2007;21(11):2091-2093). For additional information, contact A.K. Madan, University of Tennessee, Center Health Science, Dept. of Surgery, Sect Minimally Invas Surgery, 956 Court Avenue, Suite G210, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. The publisher's contact information for the journal Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA. Keywords: United States, Memphis, Medicare and Medicaid, Endoscopy, Gastroenterology, Health Policy, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopy, Medicare, Surgery, Surgical Endoscopy, University of Tennessee. This article was prepared by Managed Care Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Managed Care Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
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