NCHS Data Briefs

Data Brief, No. 310. Characteristics of Office-based Physician Visits, 2015 (Title was corrected)

This data brief examines visit rates by age and sex. It also examines visit characteristics—including insurance status, reason for visit, and services—by age. During 2015, the overall rate of office-based physician visits was 313 visits per 100 persons. The visit rate for infants and older adults was higher than the rate for other age groups. The visit rate for females was higher than the rate for males. The majority of visits by children (57%) and adults aged 18–64 (67%) listed private insurance as the primary expected source of payment, whereas the majority of visits by older adults listed Medicare as the primary expected source of payment (79%). Only 6% of office-based physician visits were made by those with no insurance. A higher percentage of visits by adults aged 18–64 (9%) had no insurance compared with adults aged 65 and over (2%). A chronic condition was the major reason for 39% of all office-based physician visits, and visits for chronic conditions were higher among adults than children. A higher percentage of visits by children than adults were for a new problem or preventive care, whereas the reverse was true for visits related to pre- or post-surgery care. About one-half (52%) of all office-based physician visits included an examination or screening that was ordered or provided. Compared with adults, a higher percentage of visits by children included health education and counseling, which is consistent with a higher percentage of visits by children for preventive care compared with adults. Compared with children, a higher percentage of adults had visits that included laboratory tests, imaging, and procedures. This report shows that there is wide variation by age in the characteristics of visits to office-based physicians in the United States. Data from the 2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) were used for these analyses.

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