Ownership and utilization of MR imagers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Radiology 1995 Apr;195(1):217-21
Date
04/01/1995Pubmed ID
7892473DOI
10.1148/radiology.195.1.7892473Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0028959001 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 5 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: To assess distribution, operation, and ownership of magnetic resonance (MR) imagers in Virginia in 1991.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires regarding ownership, location, hours of operation, annual throughput, sources and amounts of revenue, and expenses were mailed to identified providers. Data, specifically regarding ownership and location, were analyzed.
RESULTS: Staff from 95% of MR facilities responded. Most facilities were located in and around major metropolitan areas. Population density per imager ranged from one per 76,000 to one per 222,000 persons. Imagers in larger metropolitan areas were operated for longer hours with higher revenues and greater expenses than were those in lower-population-density areas. Imagers owned by physicians in a position to self-refer had the highest patient throughput, the most revenue, and a much lower percentage of revenues from Medicare and Medicaid than did other ownership types.
CONCLUSION: Patient access to MR services in Virginia is inhomogeneous. Important aspects of utilization are location and ownership. Ownership by physicians who can self-refer is associated with higher use, greater overall revenues, and less service to the poor and elderly.
Author List
Lipper MH, Hillman BJ, Pates RD, Simpson PM, Mitchell JM, Ballard DJAuthor
Pippa M. Simpson PhD Adjunct Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Costs and Cost AnalysisHealth Services Accessibility
Humans
Income
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ownership
Physician Self-Referral
Surveys and Questionnaires
Virginia
