Dear AuntMinnie Member,
The U.S. leads the world in a number of different metrics measuring MRI utilization -- but that's not necessarily a good thing.
A new survey found that the U.S. was far ahead of other developed countries in categories such as the number of MRI scanners per 1 million population and the number of MRI scans performed per capita. The price of MRI scans in the U.S. was also far higher than in comparable countries.
The problem is that MRI is often the poster child for runaway healthcare costs. Indeed, the data also show that the U.S. spends far more than other countries -- 18% of gross domestic product -- compared with 12% for the next country on the list, Switzerland. Other comparable countries spend even less. The report includes a number of other intriguing findings: Learn more by clicking here.
While you're in our MRI Community, be sure to check out this story on how MRI has detected abnormalities in the brain that could cause attention problems in patients who have had a stroke.
These articles and more are available in the MRI Community, at mri.auntminnie.com.
Cuts to MPPR
In good news for radiology, U.S. regulators recently reduced the effect of the multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR), a reduction in Medicare reimbursement when imaging scans are performed on the same body part at the same time.
The MPPR for the professional component of reimbursement was reduced from 25% to 5%, following extensive lobbying by organized radiology groups that argued the 25% cut was too steep. Now, a new analysis has listed the areas of radiology that stand to benefit the most from the lower MPPR rate. Find out which ones by clicking here for an article in our Imaging Leaders Community.
In other news in the community, a new study has found that diagnostic radiologists actually serve the most Medicare beneficiaries compared with other medical specialties, belying the stereotype of radiologists as being removed from patient contact. And another study found that radiology extenders -- technologists with special training to preread x-ray exams -- can improve a department's workflow.
Get these stories and more in the community at leaders.auntminnie.com.
AI and image interpretation
Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a red-hot topic in radiology. Fortunately, our Artificial Intelligence Community has all the latest news in this burgeoning area.
For example, a new study poses the question of whether the growing use of AI will prompt radiologists to overcall potential abnormalities. Check out the story by clicking here.
And click here for an article on a new framework for AI algorithm development and implementation that's being proposed by the American College of Radiology's Data Science Institute.
These stories and more are available in the community at ai.auntminnie.com.
