Gender-Based Variation Seen in Medicare Reimbursement for Surgery
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, July 25, 2024 -- Considerable gender-based variation is seen in practice patterns and reimbursement among different surgical subspecialties serving the Medicare population, according to a study published online July 24 in JAMA Surgery.
Muhammad Musaab Munir, M.D., from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, and colleagues examined variations in practice metrics and billing practices among female and male surgeons in a retrospective cross-sectional study using publicly available Medicare Fee-for-Service Provider Utilization and Payment data. The analysis included 20,549 general surgeons (24.5 percent female and 75.5 percent male), 1,065 surgical oncologists (42.3 percent female and 57.7 percent male), and 1,601 colorectal surgeons (27.0 percent female and 73.0 percent male).
The researchers found that female surgeons billed fewer mean Medicare charges across all subspecialties (30.1, 27.5, and 21.7 percent difference for general surgeons, surgical oncologists, and colorectal surgeons, respectively), and they received significantly lower mean reimbursements (29.0, 23.6, and 24.5 percent difference for general surgeons, surgical oncologists, and colorectal surgeons, respectively). A reimbursement gap remained across all three subspecialties on multivariable analysis (−$14,963.46, −$8,354.69, and −$4,346.73 for general surgeons, surgical oncologists, and colorectal surgeons, respectively).
"These data suggest that gender-based disparities in surgeon practices, billing, and revenue persist," the authors write. "To improve gender-based equity in reimbursements, continued efforts are needed to optimize billing and coding practices that maximize accurate compensation and ensure a level playing field for women surgeons to build their clinical practice."
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2024
Read this next
Parent-Reported Firearm Storage Poor Estimator of Teen Perceived Access
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- Parent-reported firearm storage seems to be a poor estimator of teen perceived firearm access, according to a study published online June 10 in JAMA...
CT Colonography Cost-Effective, Clinically Effective for CRC Screening
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- Computed tomography colonography (CTC) is cost-effective and clinically effective for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, according to a study published...
Global Incidence Rate of Rheumatoid Arthritis Increased From 1990 to 2021
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- The incidence rate of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased globally from 1990 to 2021, with the heaviest burden born by regions with a high...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.