Radiology Practice Consolidation: Fewer but Bigger Groups Over Time

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Radiology Practice Analysis
• Health Economics

Background:

• Radiology practice structures are evolving.
• Understanding consolidation trends is crucial for healthcare policy.
• Recent data on US radiology practice consolidation is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess recent trends in US radiology practice consolidation.
• To analyze changes in radiologist group sizes and practice numbers.
• To identify shifts in single-specialty radiology practices.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Medicare Physician Compare database for 2014 and 2018.
• Classified radiologists based on practice affiliations.
• Identified single-specialty radiology practices by name.
• Assessed temporal trends in practice size and number.

Main Results:

• Radiologist groups significantly increased in size (100+ members grew substantially).
• The total number of radiology group practices declined by 14.6%.
• Single-specialty practices decreased by 21.2%, indicating disproportionate consolidation.

Conclusions:

• The US radiology workforce has undergone significant consolidation.
• Practice sizes have increased, with a notable decrease in the number of distinct practices.
• The impact of this consolidation on cost, quality, and patient access requires further investigation.