breast imaging examinations

Purpose: To determine trends in breast imaging services utilization among privately and government-insured patients at a national radiology practice.Method: Monthly breast imaging volume data from January 2019 to September 2022 were analyzed across five insurance types: three commercial carriers (Com1-Com3), Medicaid, and Medicare. Primary analysis involved calculating quarterly volumes and standard errors of the mean, followed by a joinpoint regression to identify trend inflection points and quarterly percentage changes (QPC). In the secondary analysis, the entire period trend was obtained and measured as the average quarterly percentage change (AQPC).Results: Between 2019 Q1 and 2022 Q3, a total of 4,640,619 breast imaging services were accessed, including 2,034,833 2D screening mammograms, 1,640,689 screening digital breast tomosynthesis, 497,592 diagnostic mammograms, 452,549 breast ultrasounds, and 14,956 breast MRIs. AQPC values for imaging modalities varied across insurance types. Medicare and Medicaid patients showed the highest rates of utilization increases, particularly for modalities other than screening breast tomosynthesis, where private insurers dominated. Variations were observed between different commercial payors.Conclusion: Breast imaging utilization increased among patients insured by Medicare and Medicaid from 2019 to 2022, outpacing that of those with private insurance. These findings contrast previous research suggesting better access and utilization among privately insured individuals, highlighting increased access for government-insured patients in this study.