title: Regional variation in Medicare payments for medical imaging: radiologists versus nonradiologists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article was to study regional variation in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) payments for medical imaging to radiologists compared with nonradiologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a 5% random sample of all Medicare enrollees, which covered approximately 2.5 million Part B beneficiaries in 2011, total professional-only, technical-only, and global MPFS spending was calculated on a state-by-state and United States Census Bureau regional basis for all Medicare Berenson-Eggers Type of Service-defined medical imaging services. Payments to radiologists versus nonradiologists were identified and variation was analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nationally, mean MPFS medical imaging spending per Medicare beneficiary was $207.17 ($95.71 [46.2%] to radiologists vs $111.46 [53.8%] to nonradiologists). Of professional-only (typically interpretation) payments, 20.6% went to nonradiologists. Of technical-only (typically owned equipment) payments, 84.9% went to nonradiologists. Of global (both professional and technical) payments, 70.1% went to nonradiologists. The percentage of MPFS medical imaging spending on nonradiologists ranged from 32% (Minnesota) to 69.5% (South Carolina). The percentage of MPFS payments for medical imaging to nonradiologists exceeded those to radiologists in 58.8% of states. The relative percentage of MPFS payments to nonradiologists was highest in the South (58.5%) and lowest in the Northeast (48.0%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nationally, 53.8% of MPFS payments for medical imaging services are made to nonradiologists, who claim a majority of MPFS payments in most states dominated by noninterpretive payments. This majority spending on nonradiologists may have implications in bundled and capitated payment models for radiology services. Medical imaging payment policy initiatives must consider the roles of all provider groups and associated regional variation.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rosman
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nsiah
authors.forename: Danny R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Duszak
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000191:economics*; D005245:Fee Schedules; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States
keywords: Medicare payments; health care policy; imaging utilization; medical economics; medical imaging