Study: U.S. Physicians Spend $61K More Than Canadian Counterparts on Administrative Costs

Tags: administrative costs | health insurance | payors

A study has found U.S. physicians spend approximately $61,000 more than their Canadian counterparts on annual health insurance-related administrative costs, according to a news release from Cornell University.

The study, published in Health Affairs, found Canada's single-payor healthcare system made a difference in administrative costs. American physicians averaged $82,975 annually, while Ontario-based physicians averaged $22,205.

A U.S. physician spends 20.6 hours per week, on average, deciphering the different regulations, procedures and forms mandated by each payor. Ontario-based physicians spend an average of 2.5 hours on administrative duties.

The study authors have called for U.S. policymakers and payors to streamline inefficiencies and move from paperwork to electronic transactions.

Read the news release on the study comparing administrative costs for physicians in the United States and Canada.

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