The medical imaging industry has witnessed critical advancements in technology over the years, as modalities deliver optimal results on complex diseases and health conditions. Recently, many radiology experts have been discussing the merits of using digital breast tomosynthesis in collaboration with mammography.
In addition to its robust capabilities as an imaging modality, DBT can potentially save the U.S. millions of dollars in health care costs every year.
Focusing on DBT numbers
A team of researchers from Truven Health Analytics, led by Machaon Bonafede, Ph.D., aimed to measure the overall financial impact of including DBT in annual mammograms for a hypothetical U.S. managed care plan with 1 million members.
AuntMinnie.com explained that Bonafede and colleagues collaborated with fellow researchers from Yale University and the University of Iowa to develop an economic model that factored in two different screening scenarios: digital mammography by itself or digital mammography combined with tomosynthesis. The data for the model were compiled from existing literature on DBT and mammography, as well as analysis of two Truven research databases from 2010 to 2012.
"The scenarios are hypothetical, but the underlying data are very much real and generalizable to commercially insured women in the U.S. health system," corresponding author Jeffrey Miller told the news source.
Numerous studies have been conducted on the clinical benefits of DBT, but few have focused on the economic impact of more comprehensive screenings. By investigating the single technology, the group could determine the true efficacy of implementing DBT systems in radiology departments.
Measuring the true cost of imaging
DOT Med explained that the Truven team analyzed imaging data from 84,549 women between the ages of 40 and 75, who had undergone annual mammography screenings. The researchers noted any diagnostic scans performed following screening mammograms in a 6-month time period.
The American College of Radiology and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality stated the follow-up rate for full-field digital mammography and DBT together is 10 percent. However, the base assumption from the researchers was that FFDM-only recall rates were closer to 15 percent.
With this data in mind, Bonafede and colleagues estimated that 4,523 of the patients who were screened with both modalities would avoid any follow-up scans or biopsies. As a result, the expected annual cost savings per patient was $28.53, which would calculate out to $2.4 million per year for the hypothetical Truven health plan. These results were further extrapolated to include the approximate 39 million mammograms conducted every year in the U.S., leading to the conclusion that DBT would incur roughly $550 million in health care savings.
Saving money critical to improving health
According to DOT Med, the cost of mammography screenings every year is around $8 billion. An alternative imaging method can be crucial to properly reforming radiology services for the better.
Back in November 2014, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published a current procedure terminology code for DBT, with the agency providing coverage for the procedure. However, private insurers have yet to make a decision on covering DBT as part of the health plans they offer clients.
Once patients become more aware of the benefits of DBT, the demand for extended coverage is sure to grow. If the procedure saves money for all stakeholders, the health care industry could profit greatly from cutting costs in any way possible. The advantage of DBT is the comprehensive reports the scan produces to improve diagnoses and clinical decision making.
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Ronny Bachrach
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