Reducing the amount of money spent on health care has been the focus for many industry pundits, as physicians look to cut costs without sacrificing quality of care. However, a new report indicated that, while spending could be leveling off in the U.S., more growth is potentially on the horizon.
According to analysis from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, health care spending grew by a moderate 3.6 percent in 2013 but will likely increase in the coming years. The CMS' Office of the Actuary warned that the rate could jump to 5.6 percent in 2014, followed by an average projected growth rate of 6.1 percent per year from 2015 to 2023. While the increases are less than desirable, the expected spending pace is still lower than it was from 1990 to 2008, AuntMinnie.com explained.
Published online in Health Affairs, the CMS report labeled 2013 as the "fifth projected year of historically low growth rates" for health care spending. The agency cited slow increases in expenses, and budget effects on Medicare contributed to the deceleration of spending. However, Medicaid expenditures rose 6.7 percent in 2013 compared to 3.3 percent in 2012. This could be attributed to temporary increases in primary care physicians' payments as stipulated by the Affordable Care Act.
The CMS estimated health care spending would grow again over the next eight years due to a variety of factors, including:
- Increased insurance coverage provided by the ACA
- More disposable personal income and anticipated economic growth
- An aging population as baby boomers require more health services
Due to the expected increase in spending, medical imaging professionals will need to practice better decision making when ordering exams.
Managing imaging utilization
RSNA News reported that the use of computerized physician order entry software and real-time clinical decision support helps in efforts to manage diagnostic radiology utilization. As the products continue to improve, they become important tools to doctors around the U.S.
Now that CPOE combined with CDS can be easily embedded into EHRs, insurance providers are moving away from outsourcing utilization supervision to radiology benefit management companies. Starting in January 2017, however, physicians will be required to review appropriateness guidelines when ordering digital imaging procedures for Medicare patients using CDS systems approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
CDS has shown considerable success in reducing unnecessary imaging in the past, as a 2013 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology revealed that the tool decreased the rate of inappropriate cardiac exams from 22 percent to 6 percent.
Due to its rising popularity, more physicians could become interested in CDS tools in the near future to cut back on overimaging at their practices. With the right guidance and software at their disposal, radiologists can offer optimal services without breaking the bank for practices or patients alike.
Contact Viztek for more information.
Ronny Bachrach
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