Collaborating With Providers

The U.S. healthcare system is served by some of the finest hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers in the world. These dedicated professionals strive to deliver quality, affordable care to their patients across the country.

This section of the Medical Cost Reference Guide examines trends affecting hospitals, physicians and pharmaceuticals – including costs associated with each of these key segments of the healthcare arena.

The data highlight, for example, the growing number and variety of surgeries conducted in physician offices and free-standing facilities rather than in hospitals. There also is information about physician specialists and the impact of generics on overall prescription drug usage and costs. In addition, there is some early research examining the impact of new incentive programs, pay-for-performance initiatives that reward quality outcomes, and how they are affecting physician and hospital results.

To print the entire guide or specific guide sections, select Download 2007 Guide from the left menu.

	Hospitals Key observations from this section include: Between 2000 and 2004, the average length of a hospital stay has been constant, while the cost-per-stay has increased every year. Emergency department visits have increased, while the number of emergency departments has decreased. Nearly 80 percent of teaching hospitals report their emergency departments are at or over capacity.
	Physicians Key observations from this section include: Between 2002 and 2003, the number of physician office visits declined by 6 percent. Between 1996 and 2000, net income has fallen for all self-employed physicians. In 1994, two-thirds of primary care residency positions were filled by U.S. graduates. In 2006, that number declined to slightly more than 40 percent.
	Pharmacy Key observations from this section include: Up until 2006, private health insurance paid the largest portion of prescription drug costs; however, the introduction of Medicare Part D has propelled the public sector into the lead. With many blockbuster drug patents expiring, the number of generic drug applications has more than doubled and the number of approvals has increased by 28 percent since 2001.
	Pay-for-Performance and Electronic Medical Records Key observations from this section include: Since 2003, pay-for-performance programs have more than tripled. When asked what strategies would be most effective in improving the quality-of-care provided to patients, the majority of physicians said having more time to spend with patients would be most effective. In the U.S., only 28 percent of primary care physicians use electronic patient medical records.