Health Affairs

Health Affairs, doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.28.6.w1133 (Published online October 14, 2009) © 2009 by Project HOPE	New Online   Getting Health Reform Done   After the State of the Union   Incremental Reform   E-Health in Developing World   Most-Read Articles in 2009

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging And Low Back Pain Care For Medicare Patients

Jacqueline D. Baras ^1* Laurence C. Baker ²

¹ Jacqueline Baras is a medical student at Stanford University's School of Medicine in Stanford, California.
² Laurence Baker is a professor of health research and policy at Stanford University.

^*Corresponding author.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technology frequently used to evaluate low back pain, despite evidence that challenges the usefulness of routine MRI and the surgical interventions it may trigger. We analyze the relationship between MRI supply and care for fee-for-service Medicare patients with low back pain. We find that increases in MRI supply are related to higher use of both low back MRI and surgery. This is worrisome, and careful attention should be paid to assessing the outcomes for patients. [Health Aff (Millwood). 2009;28(6):w1133-40 (published online 14 October 2009; 10.1377/hlthaff.28.6.w1133)]

Key Words: Access To Care, Business Of Health, Chronic Care, Consumer Issues, Medicare, Research And Technology, Health Spending

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