Study Refutes Self Referral Findings

David Rosenfeld | | Radiology Business | Business Intelligence
A study published in the November 14 issue of Radiology punched a hole in the theory that self-referring radiologists drive up medical costs through follow-up exams. The study looks at nearly 30,000 high-cost examinations for chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT), brain and lumbar spine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and body positron emission tomography. Researchers found just 5.3 percent followed a radiologists examination. “Chest CT was the high-cost examination most often resulting from a radiologist’s recommendation, followed by abdominal CT and brain MR imaging,” according to the abstract. “The most common findings resulting in follow-up were pulmonary nodules or masses.”

David Rosenfeld

Related Content

Orano Med breaks ground on $265M thorium production site
Image-interpretation market scoreboard: Radiologists 72%, others 28%
Lantheus lands rights to budding radiopharmaceuticals for initial outlay of $35M
17 short-term strategies to address the national radiologist shortage
‘SR’ onboards another independent practice, its 1st in the Natural State
Analysis: Allied radiology professionals generate millions of dollars per year in indirect revenues alone

Around the web

Health Imaging
Nearly $800,000 settlement offered to family of man who died during MRI exam

The patient, who was being cared for in the ICU, was not accompanied or monitored by nursing staff during his exam, despite being sedated.

Cardiovascular Business
Global shortage of nuclear imaging isotopes may be over

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

Cardiovascular Business
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.