Full Citation

Title: Bargaining in the Shadow of a Giant: Medicare's Influence on Private Payment Systems

Citation Type: Working Paper

Publication Year: 2013

ISBN:

ISSN:

DOI:

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID:

Abstract: We analyze Medicare's influence on private payments for physicians' services. Using a large administrative change in surgical relative to medical reimbursements, we find that private prices follow Medicare's lead. A $1 change in Medicare's relative payments moves private payments by $1.20. Results are similar when Medicare alters overall reimbursement levels. Medicare thus strongly influences both relative valuations and aggregate expenditures. Medicare's price transmission is strongest when physician groups are numerous and competitive. Transaction and bargaining costs may lead the development of payment systems to suffer from a classic coordination problem. Improvements in Medicare's payment models may therefore be public goods.

Url: http://www.nber.org/papers/w19503.pdf

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Clemens, Jeffrey; Gottlieb, Joshua D.

Series Title:

Publication Number: 19503

Institution: National Bureau of Economic Research

Pages:

Publisher Location: Cambridge

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Health

Countries: