Michael I. Ellenbogen, MD

Inpatient encounters for Medicare patients 65 years and older are associated with higher coding intensity compared with commercially insured, Medicaid, or self-pay hospitalizations for those same individuals prior to age 65 years.

Industry payments to cardiologists are linked to higher Medicare spending, with $10,000 in payments tied to $14.10 more per beneficiary.

This study of 26,805 cardiologists shows that industry payments (averaging $3958) are linked to increased Medicare costs, with each $10,000 in payment associated with $14.1 higher beneficiary spending.