Association Between Physician Supply, Local Practice Norms, and Outpatient Visit Rates Medical Care

Medical Care
Yasaitis LC, Bynum JP, Skinner JS

There is considerable regional variation in Medicare outpatient visit rates; such variations may be the consequence of patient health, race/ethnicity differences, patient preferences, or physician supply and beliefs about the efficacy of frequently scheduled visits. The objective of the study was to test associations between varying regional Medicare outpatient visit rates and beneficiaries' health, race/ethnicity, preferences, and physician practice norms and supply.