Fear of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 has prompted many imaging centers in the U.S. to cut their spending on capital equipment, according to a new study published by market research firm IMV Medical Information Division of Des Plaines, IL.
Almost half of the outpatient imaging centers participating in the IMV survey said they have reduced their capital equipment budget this year. In addition, more than two-thirds of sites surveyed said they are taking the most conservative approach to operating under the DRA's reimbursement rates, which they are assuming will remain permanent.
Over one-quarter of the sites surveyed do not expect to see revenue increases this year on any of the modalities they offer, while most sites expect lower revenues in one or more modalities, compared to 2006.
The report also surveys the steps that imaging centers are taking to protect themselves from the full force of the DRA's mandated cuts in Medicare reimbursement. These include marketing efforts to generate new revenue, buying new technologies to increase productivity, and implementing operational changes.
The study also explores the type of imaging equipment purchases that are most likely to take place in 2007 -- for example, none of the sites surveyed planned to buy 3-tesla MRI scanners this year, and less than 10% have acquired or will acquire 1.5-tesla MRI scanners during 2007.
The report, called "2007 Outlook for U.S. Diagnostic Imaging Centers: Strategies for Competing in the Post-DRA era," is based on interviews with 125 administrators from imaging centers. More information about the report is available by clicking here.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
May 9, 2007
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