USD 12 Billion Out of Total Spent on Medical Imaging Squandered in the US

The United States wastes close to USD 12 billion on unnecessary medical imaging yearly, according to a new survey of 196 hospital leaders.

Smart data company peer60 (American Fork, UT, USA) surveyed 196 healthcare leaders about medical imaging in less than two weeks and found a number of reasons for the squandered resources. Ninety-two percent of provider respondents stated that defensive medicine is a major contributor to the problem, while 65% noted that patient demand is also a factor. Other causes include physicians’ lack of awareness of appropriate diagnostic tests.

“These findings demonstrate a serious issue in healthcare spending that is raising all of our costs,” peer60 CEO Jeremy Bikman said. “But there is hope in the form of quality-first payment reform coupled with software tools being developed that will greatly assist referring physicians and radiologists alike.”

Most healthcare providers, fortunately, have made reducing unnecessary imaging a top tactical priority, according to the report. Not many, however, have made much progress. The few that have made progress have created their own solutions and processes to curb the surge of unnecessary imaging.

With nearly all providers searching for a software solution to this problem, a business opportunity remains open for those who want to take on the challenge of reducing unneeded imaging, according to peer60 Sr. director Tyler Page. “These data are less than two-months-old and comes from experts in the world of healthcare. A majority of respondents were chief medical officers, and the rest came from department heads and other influencers,” he said. “The results definitely show an opening for vendors to deliver products that can help to resolve this problem. We know there are vendors out there with tools that can help. Now is the time for them to stand and deliver.”

Peer 60’s objective is to provide smart data, which is the process of collecting targeted, specific information that will yield actionable results.

Related Links:
The full report
peer60