title: The adoption of low-osmolar contrast agents in the United States: historical analysis of health policy and clinical practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this historical analysis of low- and high-osmolar contrast agents, we outline the reasons for the price depreciation, speculate on motivation for universal adoption by many radiologists despite suboptimal reimbursement, and cast light on important shortcomings of economic analyses in the realm of health policy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early economic analyses regarding low-osmolar contrast agents concluded that universal adoption was not cost-effective. Over time, the price differential between low- and high-osmolar agents narrowed, yet reimbursement patterns lagged behind the narrowing price differential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Andrew.wilmot@uphs.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilmot
authors.forename: Neerav
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jha
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media