To quantify trends in ophthalmology practice consolidation in the United States.
A cross-sectional study using physician and group practice Medicare data from 2015 to 2022.
Providers in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Downloadable File with a primary specialty designation of Ophthalmology.
We used the CMS National Downloadable File physician database to determine national practice consolidation trends in ophthalmology on individual physician and group practice levels. Individual physician trends were analyzed by region, gender, and years spent in practice. We used the Cochran-Armitage test to determine the statistical significance of practice size differences between 2015 and 2022.
Temporal practice size trends for physicians and practices in ophthalmology. Regional, gender-specific, and age-related trends in ophthalmology practice size.
Between 2015 and 2022, the number of ophthalmologists decreased from 17,656 to 17,615 (-0.2%), while the number of practices decreased from 7,149 to 5,890 (-18%). The percentage of ophthalmologists in practices of 1-2 members decreased from 35% to 28%, while those in groups of 50 or more increased from 7% to 11%. The percentage of physicians in practices of 1-2 members decreased from 75% to 71%, and those with 50 or more increased from 0.2% to 0.4%. Trends toward consolidation were significant on the individual ophthalmologist (p < .001) and group practice levels (p < .001). All regions, genders, and subgroups of years spent in practice experienced consolidation as well (p < .001). The Northeast showed the greatest increase in groups of 50 or more physicians (+7%) between 2015 and 2022. Proportionally fewer female than male ophthalmologists were associated with practice sizes of 1-2 members in 2015 (29% and 36%, respectively) and 2022 (23% and 30%, respectively). Proportionally fewer ophthalmologists with 0-10 years of experience in practice were associated with practice sizes of 1-2 members than those with more than 30 years in practice in 2015 (18% and 48%, respectively) and 2022 (14% and 40%, respectively).
Ophthalmology has undergone practice consolidation from 2015 to 2022. There appears to be a decrease in the proportion of physicians affiliated with smaller practice sizes.

Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.