Andrew B Rosenkrantz1, Howard B Fleishon2, Ezequiel Silva3, Claire E Bender4, Richard Duszak2. 1. Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York. Electronic address: andrew.rosenkrantz@nyumc.org. 2. Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. 3. South Texas Radiology Group, San Antonio, Texas; Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas. 4. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess recent trends in US radiology practice consolidation. METHODS: Radiologist practice characteristics were obtained from the Medicare Physician Compare database for 2014 and 2018. Radiologists were classified on the basis of their largest identifiable practice affiliations. Single-specialty radiology practices were identified using practice names. Temporal trends in practice sizes were assessed. RESULTS: At the individual radiologist level from 2014 to 2018, the fraction of all radiologists in groups with 1 or 2 members declined from 3.2% to 2.1%, 3 to 9 members from 10.2% to 6.7%, 10 to 24 members from 18.2% to 14.1%, 25 to 49 members from 16.6% to 15.1%, and 50 to 99 members from 13.3% to 11.5%. In contrast, the fraction in groups with 100 to 499 members increased from 15.7% to 21.8% and with ≥500 members from 22.9% to 28.7%. At the practice level, the fraction of all radiologists' practices with 1 or 2 members decreased from 26.9% to 22.8%, whereas the fraction with 100 to 499 members increased from 7.6% to 10.2% and with ≥500 members from 2.5% to 4.1%. Similar shifts were present for single-specialty radiology practices and all geographic regions nationally. The 30,492 radiologists identified in 2014 were affiliated with 4,908 group practices, including 2,812 single-specialty practices. In comparison, the 32,096 radiologists identified in 2018 were affiliated with 4,193 group practices (a 14.6% decline), including 2,216 single-specialty practices (a 21.2% decline). CONCLUSIONS: In very recent years, the US radiologist workforce has consolidated, leading to increased practice sizes and a substantial decline in the number of distinct practices, disproportionately affecting single-specialty radiology practices. The impact of this consolidation on cost, quality, and patient access merits further attention.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess recent trends in US radiology practice consolidation. METHODS: Radiologist practice characteristics were obtained from the Medicare Physician Compare database for 2014 and 2018. Radiologists were classified on the basis of their largest identifiable practice affiliations. Single-specialty radiology practices were identified using practice names. Temporal trends in practice sizes were assessed. RESULTS: At the individual radiologist level from 2014 to 2018, the fraction of all radiologists in groups with 1 or 2 members declined from 3.2% to 2.1%, 3 to 9 members from 10.2% to 6.7%, 10 to 24 members from 18.2% to 14.1%, 25 to 49 members from 16.6% to 15.1%, and 50 to 99 members from 13.3% to 11.5%. In contrast, the fraction in groups with 100 to 499 members increased from 15.7% to 21.8% and with ≥500 members from 22.9% to 28.7%. At the practice level, the fraction of all radiologists' practices with 1 or 2 members decreased from 26.9% to 22.8%, whereas the fraction with 100 to 499 members increased from 7.6% to 10.2% and with ≥500 members from 2.5% to 4.1%. Similar shifts were present for single-specialty radiology practices and all geographic regions nationally. The 30,492 radiologists identified in 2014 were affiliated with 4,908 group practices, including 2,812 single-specialty practices. In comparison, the 32,096 radiologists identified in 2018 were affiliated with 4,193 group practices (a 14.6% decline), including 2,216 single-specialty practices (a 21.2% decline). CONCLUSIONS: In very recent years, the US radiologist workforce has consolidated, leading to increased practice sizes and a substantial decline in the number of distinct practices, disproportionately affecting single-specialty radiology practices. The impact of this consolidation on cost, quality, and patient access merits further attention.
Authors: Varsha Parthasarathy; Jordan R Pollock; Yevgeniy R Semenov; Shawn G Kwatra; Grace L McNeely; Jacob S Hogan; Zachary A Bordeaux; Pavin Trinh; Junwen Deng; David L Swanson; Joshua M Sharfstein Journal: Arch Dermatol Res Date: 2022-03-14 Impact factor: 3.017
Authors: Richard Duszak; Jeff Maze; Candice Sessa; Howard B Fleishon; Lauren P Golding; Gregory N Nicola; Danny R Hughes Journal: J Am Coll Radiol Date: 2020-07-03 Impact factor: 5.532
Authors: Jordan R Pollock; M Lane Moore; Jacob S Hogan; Jack M Haglin; Joseph C Brinkman; Matthew K Doan; Anikar Chhabra Journal: Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil Date: 2021-11-04