Medscape surveyed 1,030 physicians across more than 29 specialties from Feb. 1 to March 19.
Seventy-seven percent of self-employed physicians said that 11% of patients were covered by Medicare, compared with37% of Medicaid patients. According to Medscape, this could reflect a hesitancy of small practices to take on lower Medicaid payment rates and Medicaid patients favoring local hospitals.
Here’s how self-employed physicians said how much of their patient count comes from Medicare and Medicaid:
Medicare:
1% to 5% of patient count: 5%
6% to 10% of patient count: 7%
11% to 20% of patient count: 14%
21% to 50% of patient count: 40%
More than 50% of patient count: 23%
None: 11%
Medicaid:
1% to 5% of patient count: 21%
6% to 10% of patient count: 25%
11% to 20% of patient count:15%
21% to 50% of patient count: 17%
More than 50% of patient count: 5%
None: 16%
Here’s how employed physicians answered the question:
Medicare:
1% to 5% of patient count: 7%
6% to 10% of patient count: 8%
11% to 20% of patient count: 17%
21% to 50% of patient count: 40%
More than 50% of patient count: 18%
None: 10%
Medicaid:
1% to 5% of patient count: 15%
6% to 10% of patient count: 18%
11% to 20% of patient count: 21%
21% to 50% of patient count: 23%
More than 50% of patient count: 18%
None: 5%
