- AI
- Molecular Imaging
- CT
- X-Ray
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- Facility Management
- Mammography
Charges for x-ray, CT have soared
A leading academic center reports the following technical charges for two representative radiology procedures in 1979 and in 2004. These are technical charges only and do not include professional charges.
1979:
Chest x-ray, two views: $19
CT head without contrast: $117.50
2004:
Chest x-ray, 2 views: $74.75
CT head without contrast: $504
Collections from Medicare and managed care may average 50% to 60% of posted charges today. In 1979, collections were in the 80% to 90% range.
For reference, the urban consumer price index in 1979 was 72.6, and in July 2004 it was 189.4, representing a relative price increase of 2.6 over the 25-year interval. By that standard, in today's dollars the $19 CXR should cost $49.60 and the $117.50 head CT should cost $306.70. These figures confirm that healthcare costs have significantly outpaced the standard consumer price index over the last two decades.
New Literature Review Assesses Merits of Cardiac MRI After Survival of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
April 19th 2024While noting inconsistencies with the diagnostic yield of cardiac MRI in patients who survived sudden cardiac arrest, researchers cited unique advantages in characterizing ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and facilitating alternate diagnoses.
Study of Ofatumumab for Multiple Sclerosis Shows 'Profoundly Suppressed MRI Lesion Activity'
April 17th 2024The use of continuous ofatumumab in patients within three years of a relapsing multiple sclerosis diagnosis led to substantial reductions in associated lesions on brain MRI scans, according to research recently presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) conference.
