Variation in Physician Office Visit Rates by Patient Characteristics and State, 2012

An NCHS report examines the rate of physician office visits by patient age, sex, and state. Visits by adults with private insurance as their expected source of payment were also examined.

Estimates are based on the 2012 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a nationally representative survey of physician office visits. State estimates for the 34 most populous states are available for the first time. State refers to the location of the physician office visit.

Key Findings from the Report:

• In 2012, there were an estimated 301 physician office visits per 100 persons. The visit rate among females exceeded the rate for males.
• The rate for adults aged 65 and over was more than twice the rate for adults aged 18–64 and children under age 18 years.
• Among the 34 most populous states, Missouri had the lowest rate of physician office visits for both adult age groups (18–64 and 65 and over), and Connecticut had the highest rate.
• The percentage of visits made by adults aged 18–64 with private insurance as the expected source of payment varied across the 34 most populous states, ranging from 53% in New York and Arkansas to 79% in Maryland.