Dive Brief:
- Digital mammography prices were up 22% (averaging $385,000) between February and April, compared to the same time last year, according to the Modern Healthcare/ECRI Institute Technology Price Index, because of increased interest in 3D imaging systems.
- Although 3D systems cost more, hospitals are under consumer pressure to provide 3D systems since 2D machines can miss cancers and/or require additional screenings.
- Most insurers pay the same reimbursement for 3D imaging as for 2D imaging, so providers may opt for a 2D system for more payment via repeat visits, Jason Launders, director of operations for ECRI's health devices group, told Modern Healthcare.
Dive Insight:
Providers have been demanding insurers increase reimbursement for 3D imaging to cover the high machine costs and less revenue from repeat screenings. Major manufacturers of the systems, such as GE, Hologic, and Siemens are reluctant to expand the product category further because of the rigorous pre-market FDA approval process, Mani Adib, senior projects officer at ECRI told Modern Healthcare.
A study in JAMA last year showed that Hologic's 3D mammography system found significantly more invasive cancers than a traditional mammogram and reduced the number of women who needed more testing due to false alarms.