Foreign-Born Doctors Serve Millions of Medicare Patients

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reveals that a significant number of Medicare patients received care from doctors born outside the United States. According to the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) research, over 22 million Medicare patients benefited from medical treatment provided by foreign-born physicians in 2024. This figure highlights the crucial role that international medical professionals play in the US healthcare system.

The study, which analyzed data from the Medicare claims database, found that foreign-born doctors accounted for nearly 30% of all physicians who treated Medicare patients in 2024. The countries of origin for these physicians were diverse, with the top five being India, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Egypt. The research suggests that these international medical professionals have made significant contributions to the US healthcare system, particularly in underserved areas and specialties with high demand.

The findings of the ABIM study underscore the importance of immigration policies and medical education programs that attract and retain talented international medical professionals. As the US healthcare system continues to face challenges related to staffing and access, the role of foreign-born doctors will likely remain a crucial factor in ensuring that patients receive quality care.