Drop in MR Procedure Volume in 2017 does not Dampen Purchasing Plans
Des Plaines, IL (PRWEB) January 30, 2018 -- Altogether, an estimated 36.0 million MR procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2017, which is an 8% decrease from 39.0 million procedures performed in 2016, according to the report.
"This represents the first downswing we have observed in the total number of MR procedures performed in the U.S,” said Lorna Young, senior director of market research at IMV.
But a closer look at the numbers indicates a major shift in where MRI studies are being performed. The number of procedures performed in hospital MRI departments increased about 9% from 16.2 million to 17.7 million, while those performed in non-hospitals decreased about 20% from 22.5 million to 18.0 million.
“MR procedures in independent imaging centers have been hit hard," Young noted.
Compared with 2016, MR procedures performed by independent imaging centers have declined from 37% of total MR procedures to 31% in 2017, while MR procedures performed by hospitals and their associated imaging centers increased from 63% to 69% of the mix. The estimates take into account all MR procedures, including those reimbursed by Medicare and third-party payors.
While all MRI sites are dealing with a number of issues, independent imaging centers are particularly sensitive to reduced reimbursements, managing prior authorization processes, maintaining accreditation, and staying abreast of how changes in healthcare policies will impact their operations.
This has a direct impact on their future purchase plans for MRI. Although independent imaging centers comprise one-third of MRI sites, they make up only 26% of the sites planning MRI system purchases over the next three years. The imaging centers that are planning MRI purchases are also more cost-constrained, as over 40% are considering the purchase of refurbished MRI units, compared with nearly 20% of the market overall.
However, the outlook for the MRI market as a whole is positive. Survey results indicate 30% of all MRI sites plan to purchase a fixed MRI system over the next three years, which is up from 24% of MRI users reported by IMV in 2014. An additional 25% of users who responded they “maybe” plan to purchase a fixed unit represent a significant but less certain potential market for MRI systems.
While 1.5-tesla units are still the mainstay of the modality, Young noted that over one-quarter of the MRI sites that are in the purchase mode are planning to acquire 3.0-tesla units.
IMV's 2017 MR Market Outlook Report describes trends in MR procedure utilization, the MRI system installed base and purchase plans, and brand loyalty to manufacturers. It also covers power injectors, contrast media utilization, capital and consumable budgets, site operations characteristics, and opinions about the factors affecting the future outlook for MRI. In this report, IMV also provides market scenarios for MRI unit purchases from 2017 through 2021. Vendors covered in this report include Bayer/Medrad, Bracco, Canon/Toshiba Medical Systems, GE Healthcare, Guerbet, Hitachi Medical Systems, Philips Healthcare, and Siemens Healthineers.
The report is based on responses from 404 MRI administrators who participated in IMV’s nationwide survey in August 2017. Their responses have been projected to the universe of 8,555 short-term general hospitals and imaging centers in the U.S. that use fixed MRI systems or mobile service providers to perform MR imaging, as identified by IMV. For more information about IMV’s report, visit the corporate website or call 847-297-1404 to speak with a representative.
Gail Prochaska, IMV Ltd, http://www.imvinfo.com, +1 847-257-1262, [email protected]
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