Researchers in the U.S. asking the question, Does medical insurance type (private vs public) influence the physician's decision to perform Caesarean delivery? concluded that "No significant disparity was found in the odds of Caesarean delivery between privately insured and Medicaid patients in Michigan after adjusting for other Caesarean risk factors. A positive disparity would have provided de facto evidence that financial incentives play a role in physician decision-making regarding Caesarean delivery."
I've only read this study's abstract, and clearly this research only looks at a small area of the U.S., but it's interesting in light of the fact that cesarean rates are highest among the privately insured, which has led to concerns about physicians' motives.
The study looked at 617,269 live birth deliveries in Michigan 2004-08, when cesarean rates were 33% for privately insured patients and 29% for Medicaid patients.
I've only read this study's abstract, and clearly this research only looks at a small area of the U.S., but it's interesting in light of the fact that cesarean rates are highest among the privately insured, which has led to concerns about physicians' motives.
The study looked at 617,269 live birth deliveries in Michigan 2004-08, when cesarean rates were 33% for privately insured patients and 29% for Medicaid patients.
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