New HCFO Grant

Institution: American College of Radiology
Principal Investigator: Mythreyi Bhargavan, Ph.D.
Title: Is Small-Area Variation in Health Care Utilization Explained by Physician Financial Self-Interest?
Grant Duration: May 2008–October 2009
Paragraph Summary: The researchers will explore the extent to which small-area variation (SAV) in health care utilization and expenditure is accounted for by physicians with a financial self-interest (FSI), particularly as it relates to imaging procedures. They will investigate the variation/financial self-interest relationship: 1) for imaging modalities, including CT, MRI, interventional radiology, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and radiography; 2) by examining total health costs; 3) by exploring the relation of FSI in coronary revascularization to the volume of cardiac-related procedures; and 4) by determining whether having FSI in both imaging and revascularization has a greater effect than each alone. The objective of the study is to determine whether FSI is one of the causes of utilization variation and whether FSI might be addressed to reduce health care costs without sacrificing quality or access.

 
[back to top]