Am J Psychiatry 1982; 139:810-813
Copyright © 1982 by American Psychiatric Association
Medicaid participation by psychiatrists in private practice
JB Mitchell and J Cromwell
Using national survey data, the authors examined the characteristics of
psychiatrists in private practice who treat Medicaid patients. They found
that the average Medicaid participation rate was 8%; 39.9% of psychiatrists
did not see any Medicaid patients. Participating psychiatrists were more
likely to be foreign medical graduates and to have a hospital-oriented
practice. Psychiatrists with large Medicaid practices saw significantly
more patients per week but spent less time with them. These psychiatrists
were also disproportionately located in the West. The authors conclude that
these variations are a result of state program differences in Medicaid
reimbursement and eligibility policies.
