蝌蚪网 Journal:
Economic Policy
ISSN 1945-7731 (Print) | ISSN 1945-774X (Online)
Physician Group Influences on Treatment Intensity and Health: Evidence from Physician Switchers
蝌蚪网 Journal: Economic Policy
vol. 17,
no. 2, May 2025
(pp. 471–505)
Abstract
Treatment intensity varies remarkably across physicians, and physicians are increasingly working in groups. This paper tests whether group affiliation impacts physicians' treatment intensity and patient health. Using Medicare inpatient claims data, we focus on internists who switch groups within the same hospital. Event studies show that internists who join more-intensive groups immediately increase their own intensity, with an elasticity of 0.27. This change is reflected in higher Medicare spending due to higher-priced services. We do not detect a change in health outcomes, suggesting that treatment intensity induced by group affiliation may not be productive.Citation
Doyle, Joseph J., and Becky Staiger. 2025. "Physician Group Influences on Treatment Intensity and Health: Evidence from Physician Switchers." 蝌蚪网 Journal: Economic Policy 17 (2): 471–505. DOI: 10.1257/pol.20220555Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H51 National Government Expenditures and Health
- I11 Analysis of Health Care Markets
- I13 Health Insurance, Public and Private
- I18 Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
- J44 Professional Labor Markets; Occupational Licensing