The Determinants of the Use of Assistants at Surgery
Abstract
In 1986, Medicare payments for assistants at surgery were about $300 million. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) estimated that Medicare will pay about $350 million for assistants at surgery in 1989. This study describes factors that influence the use of assistants at surgery. We describe general patterns of use as well as attempt to identify potentially inappropriate uses. We thereby hope to help policymakers identify potential areas for further utilization control, and estimate the potential savings from such controls. Our study basically consisted of two parts. In the first part, we identified individual procedures for which assistants at surgery were used the most often or which received the most Medicare assistant-at surgery dollars. In the second part of the study, we looked at the more general factors that might influence the use of assistants at surgery. We specifically considered the place of service, the specialty of the primary surgeon, characteristics of the beneficiary, region, and characteristics of the hospital.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA257676
Entities
People
- Sally Trude
Organizations
- RAND Corporation