Medicare patients may be given fewer treatment options than their counterparts with commercial insurance, according to a survey conducted by the Dartmouth Institute and the Informed Medical Decisions Foundation and reported in Health Leaders Media.
More than one-third of Medicare patients who underwent a prostatectomy, a nd 90 percent who underwent elective insertion of a coronary stent, said their physicians provided no advance information about more conservative options with similar survival outcomes, according to the report.
According to lead investigator Floyd J. Fowler, MD, the results indicate that physicians are still making decisions for their patients rather than allowing them to consider alternatives.
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More than one-third of Medicare patients who underwent a prostatectomy, a nd 90 percent who underwent elective insertion of a coronary stent, said their physicians provided no advance information about more conservative options with similar survival outcomes, according to the report.
According to lead investigator Floyd J. Fowler, MD, the results indicate that physicians are still making decisions for their patients rather than allowing them to consider alternatives.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing & Collections:
Washington Senate Approves Changes to Health Insurance Exchange
House Bill Would Make Colonoscopy, Polyp Removal Free for Medicare Patients
Valley Surgical Center to Stay With Medicare After Fixing Compliance Issues