New Report Establishes Research Guidelines to Evaluate Repeat Medical Imaging - Neiman Institute

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It is inaccurate to assert that repeat patient testing is synonymous with excessive and unnecessary health care costs, according to a new report that provides a classification system that can identify useful imaging testing and aid regulators and insurers in developing sensible, effective utilization and payment policies.

The report by the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute provides guidelines for health policy researchers to evaluate the appropriateness and efficiency of repeat medical imaging tests. One of the report's authors, Neiman Institute CEO and Research Fellow Richard Duszak, M.D., said some health policy influencers and payers have a confusing, ambiguous understanding of what constitutes repeat testing and do not have uniform mechanisms to separate those tests that are valuable and essential from those that have less value.

"This report goes to the heart of what health reform is intended to achieve," said Dr. Duszak. "The goal of health reform is to contain costs without impeding patient access to care. Sometimes, health care delivery and payment policies are shaped by a misconception that repeat testing is, by definition, unnecessary and wasteful. This report clarifies the different types of repeat imaging and provides guidelines that can enable evaluation of which tests bring value to both patients and the health care system."

source: PR Newswire