A new study shows 96 percent of orthopedic surgeons practice defensive medicine with estimated annual costs of more than $2 billion, according to an American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons news release.
A web-based survey was completed by 1,214 orthopedic surgeons about whether they practiced defensive medicine — ordering tests, referrals to specialists and hospital admissions primarily to avoid liability and without significant benefit to patients. Other significant findings include:
• 24 percent of tests were ordered for defensive reasons:
o 19 percent were radiography tests
o 26 percent were CT scans
o 31 percent were MRIs
o 44 percent were ultrasounds
• 35 percent of specialist referrals were motivated by defensive medicine
• 23 percent of laboratory tests were due to defensive medicine
• 18 percent of biopsies occurred through defensive medicine practices
Additionally, the researchers estimated the cost of defensive medicine using the average national Medicare payment information from 2011 CPT code reimbursement data. According to the report, defensive medicine costs per orthopedic surgeon were $8,500 per month and $100,000 per year, which was 24 percent of the physicians' annual spending.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Practices:
11 Statistics on Orthopedic Surgeon Practice Setting
15 Orthopedic Surgeons on the Move
8 Ways to Elevate Orthopedic Practice Employee Satisfaction
• 24 percent of tests were ordered for defensive reasons:
o 19 percent were radiography tests
o 26 percent were CT scans
o 31 percent were MRIs
o 44 percent were ultrasounds
• 35 percent of specialist referrals were motivated by defensive medicine
• 23 percent of laboratory tests were due to defensive medicine
• 18 percent of biopsies occurred through defensive medicine practices
Additionally, the researchers estimated the cost of defensive medicine using the average national Medicare payment information from 2011 CPT code reimbursement data. According to the report, defensive medicine costs per orthopedic surgeon were $8,500 per month and $100,000 per year, which was 24 percent of the physicians' annual spending.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Practices:
11 Statistics on Orthopedic Surgeon Practice Setting
15 Orthopedic Surgeons on the Move
8 Ways to Elevate Orthopedic Practice Employee Satisfaction