Comparison of General Surgical Practice Size and Setting in 2017 vs 2013 in the US

Key Points Question What was the change in consolidation and place of service for US surgical practices from 2013 to 2017? Findings Using a cross-sectional analysis of Medicare practice and claims data, changes toward concentration of surgeons in practices of a larger size were noted, from 24 958 general surgeons in 10 432 practices in 2013 to 26 250 general surgeons in 8451 practices in 2017. Highly concentrated hospital markets were associated with an increase in practice size, and large practices were increasingly based in inpatient settings. Meaning These findings suggest that surgeons are consolidating into larger practices; the association with patient access and outcomes should be studied.