Conventional radiography, rapid MR imaging, and conventional MR imaging for low back pain: activity-based costs and reimbursement.

Purpose: To incorporate personnel and equipment use time in an activity-based cost comparison of conventional radiography and conventional and rapid magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for low back pain (LBP).

Materials And Methods: At each of four Seattle Lumbar Imaging Project (SLIP) sites, patients were randomized to undergo conventional radiography or rapid MR imaging of the lumbar spine. For sample SLIP patients and for similar non-SLIP patients undergoing conventional lumbar spine MR imaging as usual care in calendar year 2000, measured imaging room use and technologist and radiologist times were multiplied by costs per minute of standard equipment acquisition, personnel compensation, and related expenses.