OBJECTIVES: Women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are often at risk of having anemia. This study examined the variation in anemia care of CKD among women in outpatient settings in the U.S. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) from 1996-2003. Women aged 18 years and older with CKD were included in the study sample based on clinical diagnoses and the reason for the visit. Anemia diagnoses were retrieved using clinical diagnoses and anemia-related medications (Erythropoietic stimulating agents or iron replacement) were retrieved using the NAMCS drug codes. All analyses were weighted to make national estimates. RESULTS: There were approximately 58 million weighted outpatient visits for women with CKD in the outpatient settings from 1996 to 2003. Nearly 14% of these visits were related to Hispanics and 50% of these visits were by patient aged 65 years and older. Nephrologists accounted for only 15% of CKD patient visits and 58% of these patients had a diagnosis of anemia. Only 11% of visits with anemia resulted in prescription for anemia related medication (erythropoietin stimulating agents or iron replacement). Women with Medicare coverage were 2.6 times more likely (p=0.05) to be seen by nephrologists. Women seen by nephrologists were 2.4 times more likely (p=0.05) to receive a prescription for an erythropoietin stimulating agent compared to patients seen by non-nephrologists. Additionally, PCPs were less likely (p=0.05) to prescribe erythropoietin stimulating agents compared to non-PCPs. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that PCPs are less likely to prescribe anemia medications in US outpatient settings compare to non-PCPs. Increased awareness of the impact of early treatments of anemia among women with CKD is needed in outpatient settings in the U.S.