Assessment of Gender Differences in Clinical Productivity and Medicare Payments Among Otolaryngologists in 2017

Abstract

Women comprise an increasing proportion of the otolaryngology workforce. Prior studies have demonstrated gender-based disparity in physician practice and income in other clinical specialties; however, research has not comprehensively examined whether gender-based income disparities exist within the field of otolaryngology. To determine whether diversity of practice, clinical productivity, and Medicare payment differ between male and female otolaryngologists and whether any identified variation is associated with practice setting. Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of publicly available Medicare data summarizing payments to otolaryngologists from January 1 through December 31, 2017. Male and female otolaryngologists participating in Medicare in facility-based (FB; hospital-based) and non-facility-based settings (NFB; eg, physician office) for outpatient otolaryngologic care were included. Number of unique billing codes (diversity of practice) per physician, number of services provided per physician (physician productivity), and Medicare payment per physician. Outcomes were stratified by practice setting (FB vs NFB). A total of 8456 otolaryngologists (1289 [15.2%] women; 7167 [84.8%] men) received Medicare payments in 2017. Per physician, women billed fewer unique codes (mean difference, -2.10; 95% CI, -2.46 to -1.75; P < .001), provided fewer services (mean difference, -640; 95% CI, -784 to -496; P < .001), and received less Medicare payment than men (mean difference, -$30 246 (95% CI, -$35 738 to -$24 756; P < .001). When stratified by practice setting, women in NFB settings billed 1.65 fewer unique codes (95% CI, -2.01 to -1.29; P < .001) and provided 633 fewer services (95% CI, -791 to -475; P < .001). In contrast, there was no significant gender-based difference in number of unique codes billed (mean difference, 0.04; 95% CI, -0.217 to 0.347; P = .81) or number of services provided (mean difference, 5.1; 95% CI, -55.8 to 45.6; P = .85) in the FB setting. Women received less Medicare payment in both settings compared with men (NFB: mean difference, -$27 746; 95% CI, -$33 502 to -$21 989; P < .001; vs FB: mean difference, -$4002; 95% CI, -$7393 to -$612; P = .02), although the absolute difference was lower in the FB setting. Female sex is associated with decreased diversity of practice, lower clinical productivity, and decreased Medicare payment among otolaryngologists. Gender-based inequity is more pronounced in NFB settings compared with FB settings. Further efforts are necessary to better evaluate and address gender disparities within otolaryngology.