Changes in procedure volume and service provider distribution among radiologists and nonradiologists in dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry between 1996 and 2002.

Abstract

To determine changes in the number of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) procedures performed in the United States, as well as changes in the relative number of procedures performed by radiologists and nonradiologists. The two major Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition, codes for DEXA scans were selected from the national Medicare Part B databases from 1996 through 2002 (the most recent). The total number of scans done on Medicare patients, as well as the percentages performed by radiologists and nonradiologists, were tabulated. In 1996, a total of 501,505 DEXA scans were performed among all Medicare patients. Of these, 30% were performed by radiologists. In 2002, there were 2,195,548 DEXA scans performed among all Medicare patients, of which radiologists performed 45%. Between 1996 and 2002, the number of DEXA scans performed on all Medicare patients increased by more than fourfold. In the same population, the percentage of scans performed by radiologists increased from less than one-third to almost one-half. Consequently, radiologists are steadily gaining market share of this procedure in the Medicare population.