Do Physicians' Financial Incentives Affect Medical Treatment and Patient Health?

Am Econ Rev. 2014 Apr;104(4):1320-1349. doi: 10.1257/aer.104.4.1320.

Abstract

We investigate whether physicians' financial incentives influence health care supply, technology diffusion, and resulting patient outcomes. In 1997, Medicare consolidated the geographic regions across which it adjusts physician payments, generating area-specific price shocks. Areas with higher payment shocks experience significant increases in health care supply. On average, a 2 percent increase in payment rates leads to a 3 percent increase in care provision. Elective procedures such as cataract surgery respond much more strongly than less discretionary services. Non-radiologists expand their provision of MRIs, suggesting effects on technology adoption. We estimate economically small health impacts, albeit with limited precision.

MeSH terms

  • Angioplasty / economics
  • Angioplasty / statistics & numerical data
  • Back Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiac Catheterization / economics
  • Cardiac Catheterization / statistics & numerical data
  • Delivery of Health Care / economics*
  • Delivery of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Exercise Test / economics
  • Exercise Test / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / economics*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / statistics & numerical data*
  • Medicare / economics
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / economics
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / economics*
  • Reimbursement, Incentive*
  • United States
  • Unnecessary Procedures / economics
  • Unnecessary Procedures / statistics & numerical data