ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This report uses Medicare data to provide insight into the patient care services most often provided by neurologists. METHODS: The 1998 Medicare data set for physician services was obtained from the Health Care Financing Administration. Neurologists' services were tabulated and compared to the 1998 American Academy of Neurology Member Demographic and Practice Characteristics Report. A profile was derived of neurologists' typical services. RESULTS: Patient visits represent 70% of neurologists' services when evaluated by income. Office was the site of service for 62% of patient visit income. Established patients were 29% of patient visit income. Neurologists frequently code patient visits at levels of service higher than used by other physicians. EMG and nerve conduction velocity together represent 55% of neurodiagnostic services when evaluated by income. CONCLUSIONS: Patient care continues to be the main service of neurologists, with office care more than hospital care. Established patient care is an important part of patient services, confirming the role of the neurologist in principal care. Neurologists' patient care levels of service are higher than for other physicians.
Subject(s)
Medicare/economics , Neurology/economics , Practice Patterns, Physicians'ABSTRACT
Staffing patterns for intraoperative EEG and somatosensory evoked potential monitoring were assessed in a survey of 150 US board certified clinical neurophysiologists. Whether or not a clinical neurophysiology physician needs to be in the operating room throughout monitoring has been a point of disagreement and debate. The data here provide evidence that most US clinical neurophysiologists send non-physician staff to monitor EEG during carotid endarterectomies. Similar results were found for somatosensory evoked potential spinal cord monitoring during scoliosis procedures. By describing current staffing practices, these data can promote a more informed debate on this controversial topic.