Vijay Madan Rao MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

David C. Levin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Consultant, HealthHelp Board of Directors, Outpatient Imaging Affiliates, LLC

Laurence Parker PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Andrea J. Frangos MPH, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jonathan H. Sunshine PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Payors and policymakers are concerned about the rising utilization of imaging and want to know which specialties are driving the increase. Our purpose was to investigate recent overall changes in utilization rates of NDI among the Medicare population, as well as changes among the various medical specialties that are most active in NDI.

The Medicare Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files for 2000 through 2005 were used. The files contain volume for all procedures by physician specialty. We calculated utilization rates per 1000 beneficiaries for the roughly 500 procedure codes that comprise NDI. We excluded claims from independent diagnostic testing facilities and multispecialty groups (approximately 3% of the total), because provider specialty cannot be determined. Utilization rate trends were charted for radiologists and the other specialties most actively involved in NDI.

The overall Medicare NDI utilization rate per 1000 increased from 3268 in 2000 to 4084 in 2005 (+25%). Radiologists’ rate increased from 2110 in 2000 to 2580 in 2005 (+22%). Cardiologists were the second highest utilizers; their rate increased from 415 in 2000 to 687 in 2005(+65%). Primary care physicians (PCPs) were next; their rate increased from 204 to 249 (+22%). Next were orthopedic surgeons, who went from 165 to 204 (+24%). Among all other physicians as a group, the rate went from 194 to 247 (+27%).

The utilization rate of all NDI among the Medicare population increased 25% between 2000 and 2005. Rate increases among radiologists, PCPs, orthopedic surgeons, and the other physician group were comparable in the 22-27% range, but the rate among cardiologists grew approximately 3 times as rapidly. Although many nonradiologist physicians are in a position to self-refer for imaging, the data suggest that cardiologists are the most aggressive in doing so.

Does not apply.

Rao, V, Levin, D, Parker, L, Frangos, A, Sunshine, J, Recent Changes in the Utilization Rates of Noninvasive Diagnostic Imaging (NDI) among Radiologists, Cardiologists, and Other Specialties.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5003176.html