Osler wrote: “The practice of medicine is an art not a trade, a calling not a business.” However, many physicians (and other providers) have figured out how to game the system for financial gain. Insights into this can be found at two databases. One lists payments to over 800,000 U.S. providers by Medicare and the other documents payments from 17 drug companies to physicians. In many cases, you can find your physician in these databases.
How Much Medicare Pays for Your Doctor’s Care
Use this form to find a doctor or other medical professional among the more than 800,000 health care providers that received payments in 2012 from Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits, tests and other treatments. Payments may also cover overhead, such as staff salaries and drug costs. In some cases, when doctors work as salaried employees of group practices, the payments that show up under their names go to their institutions. Related Articles: Sliver of Medicare Doctors Get Big Share of Payouts.
Dollars for Docs: How Drug Companies Money Reaches Physicians
In recent years, drug companies have started releasing details of the payments they make to doctors and other health professionals for promotional talks, research and consulting. As of 2013, 17 companies published the information, most because of legal settlements. Use this tool to search for payments. Read more about the data.