Increasing imaging rates driving up failed back surgery syndrome treatment costs

NEW ORLEANS — Imaging rates for failed back surgery syndrome patients have increased nearly 40% from 2000 to 2012, driving up health care costs and utilization in this patient population, according to a speaker at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting.

Frank William Petraglia III, BS, said MRI use increased nearly 73% and CT scans increased by nearly 200% between 2000 and 2012 for patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

“These results in yearly increasing imaging over the past decade can be seen in other chronic pain syndromes as well. This high rate of imaging is likely a major driver of health care utilization in this population,” Petraglia said at the meeting.

Petraglia and colleagues used the Truven MarketScan database to analyze the imaging modality rates of FBSS patients between 2000 and 2012. In addition to the increase of CT and MRI scans, X-ray also increased by 10%, he said.

A more balanced use of imaging will become more important as health care in the future is poised to transition to a value based reimbursement structure, Petraglia said. – by Robert Linnehan

Reference:

Petraglia III W, et al. Paper #112. Presented at: Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting; Sept. 26-30, 2015; New Orleans.

Disclosure: Petraglia III reports no relevant financial disclosures.