Hidden costs of mobile mammography: is subsidization necessary?

Two major impediments to an effective mammography program are inaccessibility and cost. This article itemizes the expenses associated with providing a mobile screening program accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) during a 3-year period. Mobile Diagnostics Inc. established a mobile mammography service in April 1987. A 36-ft (11-m) van is staffed by two registered technologists. The unit includes on-board processing and educational videotapes. Analysis of expenses for the years 1988, 1989, and 1990 does not include interpretation fees. A total of 3522 patients were examined in 1988, 4232 in 1989, and 5005 in 1990. Fixed operating expenses in 1988 were $70/examination and variable expenses were $13/examination, resulting in an average total cost per examination of $83. Fixed costs in 1989 were $63, variable costs were $15, and total costs were $78 per examination. Fixed costs in 1990 were $55, variable costs were $14, and total costs were $69 per examination. Many third parties, including Medicare, are contemplating a global screening fee in the $50-$60 range. An average payment of $55 would require examination of more than 6500 patients a year or 28 patients a day to break even. Our experience suggests that some form of subsidization may be necessary to sustain a mobile mammography service at those reimbursement levels.