Cost-benefit analysis of Obstetrical/Gynecological physicians who accept active duty patients on the Monterey Peninsula

Abstract

With amjor shifts in military health care, more active duty members are being seen by civilian physicians. This thesis examines Obstetrical care for active duty servicemembers on the Monterey Peninsula. The central objectives of this study was to analyze incentives for civilian Obstetrical/Gynecological physicians to accept active duty patients. To address this issue, interview were conducted of contracted and non-contracted Obstetrical/Gynecological phyisicians on the Monterey Peninsula. The interviews obtained information about the physician's costs and beenfits for accepting active duty patients. Additionally, with the payment for an active duty member's medical treatment care being closely liked to Medicare rates, the interview data was copared to studies on barriers to prenatal care for low-income patients. The major findings were that the major disadvantage to accepting active duty patients is not that the military pays for health care at a discounted rate. The major disadvantage for physicians to accept active duty patients is the volume of paperwork and claims filing associated with being a contracted physician. The primary benefit the physicians receive by accepting active duty patients is tha additional volume of patients.