Growth in MRI Utilization Declines
The IMV Medical Information Division published a report that assessed the number of MRI procedures conducted across the U.S. during 2007. The findings indicate that the rate of imaging studies completed with this modality is beginning to decline.
The rate reported indicates that the current growth rate for MRI utilization is three percent, which is an annualized figure. During 2007, approximately 27.5 million MRI studies were completed. In 2003, alternatively, 24.2 million studies were performed with this imaging modality.
The slowdown noted is in comparison to the beginning of this decade. The annual growth rate between 1999 and 2003 was 15 percent every year. Of the studies completed overall, the number of breast MRIs has significantly increased. The rate has almost doubled since 2003.
One factor that is decreasing use of MRI studies is the requirement for pre-certification from insurers. This requirement was one of the provisions resulting from the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. As well, MRI is less likely to be employed in the emergent setting, unlike CT.
It appears that the next arena for growth within imaging will be new procedures. 3T MRI, for example, may provide a new avenue for growth. Data indicates that at least twenty percent of facilities planning to purchase MRIs in the near future intend to purchase 3T machines.
Other highlights from the IMV report include that more than 1,000 hospitals have mobile MRI machines. The majority of MRI procedures were spine (26 percent), followed by brain (25 percent). MR angiography is almost 9 percent of studies completed with this modality. Almost half the MRI studies completed have incorporated contrast agents.
June 12, 2008 Related topics: Trends, Diagnostic, Materials Management