After a significant jump in healthcare spending in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare spending in the United States only increased 2.7% in 2021, according to new analysis from the Office of the Actuary at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), published in Health Affairs.

Use of the template, which included PCP notifications, also resulted in an increase of biochemical testing, follow-up imaging and specialist referrals in patients with incidental adrenal masses.

Women with dense breasts or other heightened risk factors for breast cancer may be on the cusp of receiving 100% coverage for additional imaging beyond standard mammography.

 The revisions impact insurers operating on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

The PHE has been in effect since the early days of the pandemic, and it has been reaffirmed every 90 days since. CMS has indicated it will give healthcare stakeholders at least 60 days’ notice before winding down the PHE.

Claustrophobic or not, most would choose the radiation-free modality over CT and tend to consider imaging-exam outcomes more worrisome than MRI in and of itself anyway.

Many patients are unaware of factors that influence how they are billed, such as ancillary fees and organizational setups that use parties offsite to interpret imaging studies. In turn, the pricing information patients receive prior to exams is often incomplete. 

High out-of-pocket costs are a growing problem in healthcare, often creating stress and confusion for patients. A new analysis in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes examined one way that physicians can help.