The Value of Otolaryngologists’ Services in America

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the perceived monetary value of physician services within the general population and to foster academic discussion about the finances of clinical practice in the setting of recent health care reform.

Study Design, Subjects, and Methods. National survey of 409 members of the general population and review of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data.

Results. The perceived monetary values of office visits were comparable to the actual physician reimbursements. However, the average perceived value associated with surgical treatments was significantly higher than the true Medicare reimbursement amount. For example, survey participants said that a reasonable price for a doctor to be paid for performing a tonsillectomy is $955.58, whereas the national average Medicare reimbursement is $257.74. Furthermore, 59% of respondents also believe that insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid pay doctors more than the respondent’s perceived value for each service.

Conclusion. The current patterns of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reimbursement reveal a trend of declining payments for physician services. A survey of a sample of the general population indicated that most people believe that their doctors are paid far more than they actually are. It is important for otolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons to understand and discuss the economic forces that continue to shape our practices, and it is vital that we all play an active role in the discussions surrounding the evolution of the American health care system.