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Sources of specialist physician fee variation: Evidence from Australian health insurance claims data

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  • Yong, Jongsay
  • Elshaug, Adam G
  • Mendez, Susan J
  • Prang, Khic-Houy
  • Scott, Anthony

Abstract

This study explores the variation in specialist physician fees and examines whether the variation can be attributed to patient risk factors, variation between physicians, medical specialties, or other factors. We use health insurance claims data from a large private health insurer in Australia. Although Australia has a publicly funded health system that provides universal health coverage, about 44 % of the population holds private health insurance. Specialist physician fees in the private sector are unregulated; physicians can charge any price they want, subject to market forces.

Suggested Citation

  • Yong, Jongsay & Elshaug, Adam G & Mendez, Susan J & Prang, Khic-Houy & Scott, Anthony, 2024. "Sources of specialist physician fee variation: Evidence from Australian health insurance claims data," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:147:y:2024:i:c:s0168851024001295
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105119
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Susan J. Méndez & Jongsay Yong & Hugh Gravelle & Anthony Scott, 2024. "Medical pricing decisions: Evidence from Australian specialists," Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series wp2024n11, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Specialist physician fees; Out-of-pocket payments; Price transparency; Vari- ance components; Australia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms

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