Utilization of Imaging

Estimated Country Level Utilization, By Modality, 2006
Based on Procedure Counts for Part B, non managed care Medicare enrollees*
Modality
Part B non HMO
All Medicare
All Population
Per 1000 persons
CT
21 million
24 million
72 million
244
MR
7 million
8 million
23 million
79
Ultrasound
39 million
45 million
136 million
460
Interventional
9 million
11 million
33 million
111
Nuclear Medicine
12 million
14 million
41 million
137
Xray, total incl. mammography
83 million
97 million
292 million
984
Other
0.4 million
0.5 million
1.5 million
5
All Diagnostic Radiology
170 million
200 million
599 million
2,020
Radiation Oncology
10 million
11 million
34 million
115
* proportion of Medicare care enrollees for 2006 is estimated, pending data from CMS

Source: Physician Supplier Procedure Summary Master file, 2006

Trends: Average growth between 1998 and 2001 in Medicare utilization

On average, between 1998 and 2001, utilization per Medicare enrollee increased 16% per year for MR imaging and 7%–15% per year for CT, US, interventional radiology, and nuclear medicine, while that for radiography increased 1% per year. The proportion of diagnostic radiology procedures performed in ambulatory settings increased from 62% in 1992 to 68% in 2001.

For more details, please see our most recent paper on utilization:

Bhargavan M, Sunshine JH. Utilization of Radiology Services in the United States: Levels and Trends in Modalities, Regions, and Populations. Radiology 2005;234:824-832