Differences between family physicians' and general internists' medical charges.
OBJECTIVE
Data from 509 primary care patients were analyzed to determine whether practice style differences between family physicians and general internists generate differential utilization of health care resources leading to differential medical charges.


METHODS
New adult patients were prospectively randomized to care by family physicians and general internists. Utilization of medical care services and associated charges then were monitored for 1 year of care.


RESULTS
Family practice patients had a significantly higher mean number of visits to their primary care clinic and significantly fewer emergency room visits than patients assigned to Internal Medicine. Mean charges for primary care and emergency department treatment were significantly lower for patients assigned to Family Practice than for those assigned to General Internal Medicine. There were no significant differences in charges for specialty clinic visits, hospitalizations, or diagnostic services.


CONCLUSIONS
Practice style differences between family physicians and general internists were associated with differential medical charges, with family physicians generating lower charges for some aspects of care.
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento 95817, USA. kdbertakis@ucdavis.edu
K D
KD
Bertakis
L J
LJ
Helms
R
R
Azari
E J
EJ
Callahan
J A
JA
Robbins
J
J
Miller
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000191:economics*; D005251:Fees, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data