Medicaid participation by psychiatrists in private practice.

Using national survey data, the authors examined the characteristics of psychiatrists in private practice who treat Medicaid patients. They found that the average Medicaid participation rate was 8%; 39.9% of psychiatrists did not see any Medicaid patients. Participating psychiatrists were more likely to be foreign medical graduates and to have a hospital-oriented practice. Psychiatrists with large Medicaid practices saw significantly more patients per week but spent less time with them. These psychiatrists were also disproportionately located in the West. The authors conclude that these variations are a result of state program differences in Medicaid reimbursement and eligibility policies.