Patient Wait Times for Primary Care In Massachusetts Post State Health Reform

According to a new study released by The Massachusetts Medical Society, in Massachusetts the average wait time to see a family medicine physician is 39 days (down from 45 days in 2012) and the average wait time to see an internal medicine physician is 50 days (up from 44 days in 2012). The study also showed that 51% of family physicians and 45% of internists - are accepting new patients in 2013. For pediatrics - primary care for youngsters up to age 18 - the average wait time was 25 days, two days longer than last year, with 70% of pediatric practices accepting new patients, a decrease of 2% from 2012.
The percentage of family physicians accepting new patients has dropped 19% over the last seven years; the percentage of internists accepting new patients has plunged 21% over the last nine years; and the percentage of pediatricians accepting new patients has fallen 10% over the last four years.
Publication Source: The Massachusetts Medical Society