Medicare Trends in Pathologist Participation, Service Utilization, and Payments. Issue 5 (19th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arvisais-Anhalt, Simone; Araj, Ellen; Park, Jason Y
• Is Part Of: American journal of clinical pathology. Volume 155:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 674
• Page End: 679
• Publication Date: 2020-11-19
• Subjects: Pathology workforce -- Medicare -- POSPUF -- Part B -- Billing -- Payment; Diagnosis, Laboratory -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616.07
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/aqaa167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9173

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Quantifying pathologist participation in Medicare services may be informative for the prediction of future workforce needs and reimbursement. Methods: A retrospective examination was performed of pathologist professional (Part B) Medicare billings and payments from 2012 to 2017. The Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data: Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File was the primary data source. Results: From 2012 to 2017, there was an increase (3.7%; 11, 215 up to 11, 627) in pathologists providing Medicare Part B services. Female pathologists increased from 36.10% to 40.8% of pathologists during this time period. Normalized per pathologist, there was an increase (7.8%; 1, 382 up to 1, 489) in beneficiaries served as well as an increase (4.1%; 2, 442 up to 2, 543) in services performed. The top 10 pathology Part B services performed in a facility were all surgical pathology. Although services increased, the overall payment of Part B pathology services decreased (3%; $996, 519, 358 down to $966, 615, 856) during the study period. Conclusions: Although there is increasing pathologist participation in Medicare, the workload per pathologist has increased.