How should Medicare pay physicians?
Medicare's system of paying physicians is criticized as being costly, inflationary , inefficient, inequitable , and confusing. Yet when alternative methods--to change practice arrangements, units of service, fee levels, and the assignment option--are examined, no one seems ideal. A fee-for-service system combined with a prospective payment schedule may offer the best compromise.
D002204:Capitation Fee; D005245:Fee Schedules; D005251:Fees, Medical; D006291:Health Policy; D007357:Insurance, Physician Services / Q000191:economics*; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics*; D011445:Prospective Payment System; D011907:Rate Setting and Review; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000191:economics*; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive; D014481:United States