Citations for research referenced in this document:
1. For a primer on the different types of medical imaging: www.medicalimaging.org/medical-imagingprimer/.
2. See www.rightscanrighttime.org.
3. Use of medical imaging—CT, MR, ultrasound, or x-ray—in hospitals is associated with lower patient mortality: Study led by David Lee, Ph.D., Senior Director, Health Economics and Outcome Research at
GE Health Care (2009). http://rightscanrighttime.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/lee-imaging-studystatement-final-6-29-09.pdf
4. Life expectancy increased more rapidly in states with increased utilization of advanced medical imaging: Study by Dr. Frank Lichtenberg, Ph.D., Columbia University, “The Quality of Medical Care,
Behavioral Risk Factors, and Longevity Growth.” Released through the National Bureau of Economic
Research. http://rightscanrighttime.org/2009/06/study-demonstrates-significant-increases-in-lifeexpectancy-due-to-advanced-medical-imaging-offsetting-mortality-rates-attributed-to-obesity-2/
5. 13% decrease in Medicare per beneficiary spending on imaging: Analysis of Medicare claims data by Christopher Hogan, PhD, of Direct Research, LLC (2011). http://www.medicalimaging.org/2011/11/ new-data-shows-decline-in-medical-imaging-spending-and-utilization-within-medicare-program/.
Decline in Medicare utilization of imaging: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) findings announced at December 15, 2011 public meeting.
Imaging spending is a smaller portion of Medicare spending than at any point in the last 10 years: Analysis of Medicare claims data by Christopher Hogan, PhD, of Direct Research, LLC (2011).
6. Coronary CT imaging in the emergency room can save billions: Research by Dr. Harold Litt, Chief of cardiovascular imaging in the Radiology Dept. at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of
Pennsylvania, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (March 2012).
7. Early diagnosis of lung cancer: Cost-benefit analysis conducted by Millman, Inc. and published in the April 2012 edition of Health Affairs . The analysis was commissioned by The American Legacy
Foundation and Lung Cancer Alliance after the National Cancer Institute announced the results of the
National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) which proved that low-dose CT screening could reduce lung cancer deaths by at least 20 percent in a high risk population of current and former smokers ages 55 to
74.
8. Reduction in planned abdominal surgeries after CT scans: Hani H. Abujudeh, “Abdominopelvic CT
Increases Diagnostic Certainty and Guides Management Decisions,” AJR :196, February 2011.
9. Molly Beinfeld, MPH, and G. Scott Gazelle, MD, MPH, PhD, “Diagnostic Imaging Costs: Are They
Driving Up the Costs of Hospital Care,” Radiology , June 2005.
10. Alison B. King and Donna M. Fiorentino, “Medicare Payment Cuts for Osteoporosis Testing Reduced
Use Despite Tests’ Benefit in Reducing Fractures,” Health Affairs , December 2011.
11. Reducing the negative appendectomy rate: “Effect of computed tomography of the appendix on treatment of patients and use of hospital resources,” Rao PM, Rhea JT, Novelline RA, Mostafavi AA,
McCabe CJ, New England Journal of Medicine . 1998 Jan;338(3):141-6.
12. www.radiologysaveslives.org/sites/default/files/imaging graphic.pdf
13. By 2012 there were 214 fewer mammography facilities and 1,256 fewer scanners. (FDA, MQSA
National Statistics, fda.gov). Between 2007 and 2009 there were 800,000 fewer DXA bone density screenings. http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/30/12/2362.abstract.
14. “Imaging Patients Custom Analytic Report: June 1, 2007–June 30, 2011,” MITA and the Patient
Advocacy Foundation, April 2012.
The Association of Electrical Equipment and Medical Imaging Manufacturers
1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752, Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

● Medical imaging technologies (CT, MR,
PET, RT, Ultrasound, and X-RAY) have revolutionized healthcare delivery, changing how physicians diagnose and treat diseases./1
● The precision diagnostics and treatments of medical imaging can identify the early signs of Alzheimer’s, rule out conditions that mimic strokes, detect blockages in arteries without invasive procedures, and lead to longer and better lives for many cancer patients. /2
● Recent studies demonstrate that increased utilization of medical imaging lowers patient mortality /3 and increases life expectancy. /4
● Imaging is not a driver of Medicare spending growth.
/5
● Imaging has been shown to save money:
■ A 2012 study found that the use of non-invasive coronary CT imaging in the emergency room can save hospitals billions of dollars. /6
■ A recent study in Health Affairs showed that earlier diagnosis of lung cancer with CT scans saved thousands of lives and has the potential to yield tremendous longterm healthcare cost savings. /7
■ A study reported in 2011 found a 25% reduction in planned abdominal surgeries after CT scans. /8
■ Researchers at Harvard Medical
School found that every $385 spent on imaging decreased a patient’s hospital stay by one day ( saving about $3000 per patient ). /9
Less
Exploratory
Surgery
Early Cancer
Detection

Better
Therapies
Quicker Stroke
& Heart Attack
Detection
■ A 2011 study found that cuts in
Medicare reimbursements for imaging led to 800,000 fewer DXA scans for osteoporosis —tests that might have prevented 12,000 fractures and their associated health care costs. /10
■ A study by Massachusetts General
Hospital showed that CT imaging significantly reduced unnecessary appendectomies . /11
● Eight (8) payment cuts since 2006 have drastically reduced reimbursements for medical imaging, with many payments being cut by more than half their 2006 levels. /12
● The numerous imaging cuts already enacted have created a strong headwind for this important sector of American manufacturers, and
Congress should avoid adding to this burden with additional cuts.
● Further cuts in imaging will make it harder for patients to access lifesaving imaging. /13
● Prior authorization requirements have been shown to be largely inaccurate in their determinations and interfere with decision-making by patients and their physicians. /14