Less experienced doctors could be out in cost 'profiling'

Physicians with less than 10 years of experience practicing medicine cost 13 percent more than their veteran colleagues, according to a new study that could have consequences as health plans "profile" doctors to control premium increases. The research, conducted by the RAND Corp. and published in this month's issue of the journal Health Affairs comes as commercial insurers look at ways to reduce healthcare spending. One way health plans are trying to reduce costs, the study's authors say, is through physician "profiles," which can be used as a basis for lowering a doctor's reimbursement. In addition, researchers said the findings could lead to the less-experienced doctors being excluded from health plan's preferred lists of providers.