Fees: are they getting out of hand? 1978

M Kirchner

In the past, Medical Economics has conducted an annual survey of fees charged by office based physicians in general practice, family and internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology and pediatrics, and general surgery. This year, the data-base was expanded to include six other specialties. The article provides a series of tables exhibiting the fees charged by physicians for first office visits, return visits, history and physical exams, and other general procedures specific to particular specialties. It is pointed out that the fee for return office visits has doubled in eight years. The increase in costs of routine services accounts for much of the 9.6% increase in physicians' fees during the last year. Primary care doctors have initiated the highest fee hikes for 1978. This is attributed to young physicians entering the field and charging more than their older colleagues. Surgical fees have doubled in cost in the last ten years. For the past three years, physicians' fees have increased at the average rate of 9.5%, usually exceeding the Consumer Price Index. Physician services only account for 20% of the entire health care bill, but due to their visibility, they are subject to criticism and careful review. Since the pressure is on for health care cost containment, the author advises physicians to think again before raising their fees in the near future.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D004470 Economics, Medical Economic aspects of the field of medicine, the medical profession, and health care. It includes the economic and financial impact of disease in general on the patient, the physician, society, or government. Medical Economics
D005251 Fees, Medical Amounts charged to the patient as payer for medical services. Fee, Medical,Medical Fee,Medical Fees
D013038 Specialization An occupation limited in scope to a subsection of a broader field. Specialism,Specialists,Specialist
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.

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