Thoracic Surgery (Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery)

Average opioid prescribing rate of 44.5% is significantly elevated. While some specialties (pain management, anesthesiology) legitimately prescribe opioids at high rates, this figure deserves context about the specialty's typical patient population.

Average brand-name prescribing rate of 22.5% is notably high. While some specialties require brand-name medications without generic alternatives, higher brand rates increase costs to Medicare and patients.