Foreign experiences relevant to Medicare.
The method of paying doctors under Medicare has never been workable; it creates disputes and confusion for physicians and everyone else and will soon be replaced. The problem is the need to develop a simple and predictable method that will avoid both government dictation and financial bankruptcy. Every other developed country has had structured methods of paying doctors; the United States can use these methods as the starting point for reform. A fundamental feature is standing negotiation machinery between the medical profession and the payers.
D002170:Canada; D005060:Europe; D005245:Fee Schedules; D007357:Insurance, Physician Services / Q000191:economics*; D006278:Medicare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D014481:United States