U-M researcher: Some docs may give up vaccines because of cost
December 01, 2008 9:10 AM
(AP) - A study by a University of Michigan researcher and others says about one in 10 doctors who vaccinate privately insured children are considering dropping that service.
That's largely because they are losing money when they do it.
A second survey revealed startling differences between what doctors pay for vaccines and what insurers reimburse.
For example, one in 10 doctors lost money on one recommended infant vaccine, but others made almost $40 per dose on the same shot.
Dr. Gary Freed of the University of Michigan is co-author of both articles in the December issue of the journal Pediatrics.
He says many physicians didn't realize how little reimbursement they were getting.
