The practice of imaging self-referral doesn't produce much one-stop service.
Imaging as a result of self-referral-when a physician refers patients for imaging tests at a facility owned or leased by the same physician-is widespread. The practice has come under much scrutiny because it is associated with higher volumes of imaging services. Proponents of such self-referral argue that the practice offers patients convenient same-day, one-stop service and allows treatment to start sooner. Our analysis of 2006 and 2007 Medicare data showed that self-referral provided same-day imaging for 74 percent of straightforward x-rays, but for only 15 percent of more-advanced procedures such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Policy makers attempting to make the use of imaging more responsible should consider narrowing Medicare's special provision allowing referrals to a physician's own practice so that the provision covers x-rays only.
American College of Radiology, Reston, Virginia, USA. jsunshine@acr.org
Jonathan
J
Sunshine
Mythreyi
M
Bhargavan
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D006278:Medicare; D018584:Physician Self-Referral; D014481:United States