Medicare Denial Rates by Specialty 2000-2004

Trends in Medical Claim Denial Rates: Comparing 2004 to 2000

In a recent issue of Part B News (www. partbnews.com), the largest denial rates in 2004 were seen by general practice, Ob/Gyn, general surgery, anesthesiology and general surgery medical practices, while the smallest denial rates were for dermatology, podiatry, gastroenterology, cardiac surgery,  and peripheral vascular disease. Despite its high rate according to the article, anesthesiologists actually did much better in 2004 (15.7% denial rate) than in 2000 (24.5%).

Diagnostic radiologists also cut their denial rate to 6.9% in 2004 from 12.4% in 2000.  Conversely, the general practice denial rate went to 20.4% in 2004 from 11.5% in 2000 and surgical oncology jumped to 13% in 2004 from 9.3% in 2000.