Evidence map›Paper›PMID 27896680›Full record

ArticleClinical orthopaedics and related research2017

What Does a Shoulder MRI Cost the Consumer?

Robert W Westermann, Cameron Schick, Christopher M Graves, Kyle R Duchman, Stuart L Weinstein

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical orthopaedics and related research, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed.

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  5. Healthcare costs of failed rotator cuff repairs.JSES reviews, reports, and techniques · 2023
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  12. Letter to the Editor: What Does a Shoulder MRI Cost the Consumer?Clinical orthopaedics and related research · 2017
    Article
  13. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Robert W WestermannDepartment of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr., 01008 JPP, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Cameron SchickDepartment of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr., 01008 JPP, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Christopher M GravesDepartment of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr., 01008 JPP, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
Kyle R DuchmanDepartment of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr., 01008 JPP, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA. kyle-duchman@uiowa.edu.
Stuart L WeinsteinDepartment of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr., 01008 JPP, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMore than 100 MRIs per 1000 inhabitants are performed in the United States annually, more than almost every other country. Little is known regarding the cost of obtaining an MRI and factors associated with differences in cost. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: By surveying all hospital-owned and independent imaging centers in Iowa, we wished to determine (1) the cost to the consumer of obtaining a noncontrast shoulder MRI, (2) the frequency and magnitude of discounts provided, and (3) factors associated with differences in cost including location (hospital-owned or independent) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services designation (rural, urban, and critical access).

methodsThere were 71 hospitals and 26 independent imaging centers that offered MRI services in Iowa. Each site was contacted via telephone and posed a scripted request for the cost of the technical component of a noncontrast shoulder MRI. Radiologists' reading fees were not considered. Statistical analysis was performed using standard methods and significance was defined as a probability less than 0.05.

resultsThe mean technical component cost to consumers for an MRI was USD 1874 ± USD 694 (range, USD 500-USD 4000). Discounts were offered by 49% of imaging centers, with a mean savings of 21%. Factors associated with increased cost include hospital-owned imaging centers (USD 2062 ± USD 664 versus USD 1400 ± USD 441 at independent imaging centers; p < 0.001; mean difference, USD 662; 95% CI, USD 351-USD 893) and rural imaging centers, unless designated as a critical access hospital (USD 2213 ± USD 668 versus USD 1794 ± USD 680; p = 0.0202; mean difference, USD 419; 95% CI, USD 66-USD 772).

conclusionsIn Iowa, the cost to the consumer of a shoulder MRI is significantly less at independent imaging centers compared with hospital-owned centers. Referring physicians and healthcare consumers should be aware that there may be substantial price discrepancies between centers that provide advanced imaging services. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Economic and decision analysis.

Indexed as

Health Care CostsHealth ExpendituresAccess to InformationConsumer Health InformationCost-Benefit AnalysisDelivery of Health CareHealthcare DisparitiesHealth Care SurveysHospital CostsHumansIowaMagnetic Resonance ImagingModels, EconomicPredictive Value of TestsShoulder

Identifiers

PMID27896680
PMCPMC5289202

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.