Regional variation in Medicare payments for medical imaging: radiologists versus nonradiologists.

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.

Materials And 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.

Trends in lumbar puncture over 2 decades: a dramatic shift to radiology.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate national trends in lumbar puncture (LP) procedures and the relative roles of specialty groups providing this service.

Materials And Methods: Aggregated claims data for LPs were extracted from Medicare Physician Supplier Procedure Summary master files annually from 1991 through 2011. LP procedure volumes by specialty group and place of service were studied.

Emergency department imaging: uncompensated services rendered by radiologists nationwide.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine characteristics of uncompensated services rendered by radiologists to emergency department (ED) patients.

Methods: Using deidentified billing claims for 2,935 radiologists from 40 states from 2009 through 2012, 18,475,491 services rendered to ED patients were identified. Analysis focused on the 133 of 830 procedure codes that comprised 99.

The scope and distribution of imaging services at critical access hospitals.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to better understand the availability and scope of imaging services at critical access hospitals (CAHs) throughout the United States.

Methods: Recent American Hospital Association (AHA) annual survey data (containing 1,063 variables providing comprehensive information on organizational characteristics and availability of various services at 6,317 hospitals nationwide) and US census data were merged. Imaging survey data included mammography, ultrasound, CT, MRI, single photon emission CT, and combined PET/CT.

The 2013 ACR Commission on Human Resources workforce survey.

Background: The ACR Commission on Human Resources conducts an annual electronic survey during the first quarter of the year to better understand the present workforce situation for radiologists.

Methods: We used the Practice of Radiology Environment Database (PRED) to identify 2,067 practice leaders and asked them to complete an electronic survey developed by the Commission on Human Resources. The survey asked group leaders or their designates to report the number of radiologists they currently employ or supervise, the number hired in 2012, and the number they plan to hire in 2013 and 2016.