Provider cost transparency alone has no impact on inpatient imaging utilization

Area of Science:

• Health economics
• Medical informatics
• Radiology

Background:

• Healthcare costs are a significant concern.
• Understanding factors influencing medical test utilization is crucial for cost containment.
• Point-of-care cost information may influence provider behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if displaying imaging test costs to providers at the point of order entry impacts utilization.
• To assess the effect of cost transparency on imaging test ordering patterns.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing imaging test utilization.
• Ten frequently ordered imaging tests were divided into active cost display and control groups.
• Utilization data was collected during baseline and intervention periods.

Main Results:

• The active cost display group showed a mean utilization change of +2.8%, while the control group had -3.0%.
• No statistically significant difference in utilization change was observed between the two groups (P = .10).
• Correlation analysis also revealed no significant difference in the relationship between test cost and utilization change.

Conclusions:

• Cost transparency alone does not significantly alter inpatient imaging utilization.
• Further strategies may be needed to influence provider ordering behavior regarding imaging tests.