The adoption of low-osmolar contrast agents in the United States: historical analysis of health policy and clinical practice.

Abstract

In this historical analysis of low- and high-osmolar contrast agents, we outline the reasons for the price depreciation, speculate on motivation for universal adoption by many radiologists despite suboptimal reimbursement, and cast light on important shortcomings of economic analyses in the realm of health policy. Early economic analyses regarding low-osmolar contrast agents concluded that universal adoption was not cost-effective. Over time, the price differential between low- and high-osmolar agents narrowed, yet reimbursement patterns lagged behind the narrowing price differential.